MOUNT VERNON – Don't count out the Rams in the Midwest Conference race quite yet.
 
Cornell's men's basketball team claimed a statement win over first-place and previously MWC-unbeaten Illinois College, 64-56, in a heated battle Wednesday night inside the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.
 
The Rams held Illinois College to 23 second-half points and 31.0-percent shooting for the contest. Cornell reeled off the final 11 points of regulation and ended the Blueboys' 16-game winning streak.
 
With its fourth straight victory, Cornell (8-10 overall) climbed to 6-3 in the MWC. Illinois College (17-2 overall) dropped to 9-1 in the MWC with its first setback since Nov. 12.
 
Jordan Magnani led an inspired team effort with a game-high 16 points, which included a 9-of-11 touch from the foul line. The fifth-year guard vaulted past Corey Davis (2014-18) for No. 3 on Cornell's all-time scoring list with 1,505 points.
 
Izic Mackey provided key minutes off the bench with 12 points and five rebounds. Zach Ingle (11 points, nine rebounds), Jayden Meeker (nine points, 10 rebounds) and Logan Sharp (10 points, seven rebounds) all were on double-double watch in helping the Rams hold Illinois College to its lowest point total of the season.
 
The Rams, who trailed for more than 34 minutes of the game, overcame a 56-53 deficit with 2:49 remaining. Two Magnani free throws, followed by a 3-pointer from Ingle pulled Cornell ahead 58-56 at the 1:12 mark.
 
Cornell's Logan Christensen drew a pivotal charge on the ensuing possession and then Meeker's drive to the rim made it 60-56 with 41 seconds left. Meeker blocked a 3-pointer on Illinois College's next trip and Magnani iced the game with four straight free throws in the closing seconds.  
 
The Rams shot 19-of-23 from the foul line and outrebounded the visitors, 46-39. Cornell prevailed despite a 3-of-18 shooting night from 3-point range.
 
Coming up – Cornell is back home Saturday to face Ripon (9-9 overall, 5-4 MWC) for a 3 p.m. tipoff.