MOUNT VERNON – Wednesday it was first-place Illinois College, Saturday the defending Midwest Conference regular-season champion Ripon Red Hawks.
Cornell's men's basketball team capped an impressive week on its home court with Saturday's 73-66 comeback victory over Ripon inside the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.
The Rams rallied from a six-point deficit over the final eight minutes and stretched their winning streak to five games. Cornell (9-10 overall) climbed to 7-3 in the MWC race, only percentage points behind Monmouth (8-3 MWC), which the Rams beat Jan. 17.
Cornell committed a season-low three turnovers and shot a blazing 62.1 percent from the field in the second half, outscoring Ripon 44-34 over the final 20 minutes.
Fifth-year leader
Jordan Magnani continued his stellar all-around play, tossing in a game-high 20 points to go with five assists and a pair of steals.
Jayden Meeker was an efficient 7-of-9 shooting and netted 18 points.
Zach Ingle buried four 3-pointers and finished with 16 points.
The Rams sank four 3-pointers – two each by Magnani and Ingle – during a pivotal 17-4 spurt down the stretch that pushed Cornell ahead 69-62 with 3:02 remaining. After Ripon (9-10 overall, 5-5 MWC) pulled within 69-66, buckets by Magnani and
Logan Sharp put the game away.
Sharp finished with eight points and six rebounds.
Izic Mackey added eight points off the bench.
Logan Christensen grabbed five rebounds from his guard position.
The Rams hit 10 3-point goals in the game, the fourth time they've reached double-digits for makes this season.
Coming up – The Rams travel to play in-state rival Grinnell (6-12 overall, 2-8 MWC) at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.
