MOUNT VERNON – Jayden Meeker poured in a career-best 27 points, although the Rams couldn't knock off Beloit from the ranks of Midwest Conference unbeatens in Saturday's 70-60 men's basketball loss inside the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.
 
Meeker helped keep the Rams (2-8 overall, 0-4 MWC) within striking distance, netting 14 points after intermission. The 6-foot-4 junior guard finished 13-of-22 shooting from the field and also collected five rebounds, four assists and three steals in a superb performance.
 
Beloit (7-2 overall, 4-0 MWC) made its hay from the foul line, hitting 22-of-36 attempts. The Rams made 4-of-10 free throws, including 1-of-6 in the second half.
 
The Buccaneers won the battle on the boards, 46-29, and snapped a five-game series losing streak against the Rams.
 
Cornell trailed 31-30 at halftime and pulled within 56-52 on a Dylan Hurley putback with less than five minutes to go. Beloit scored on its next three possessions to build the lead back to 63-52 and held on from there.
 
Junior Jaxson Herring had a solid game for the Rams with eight points, eight rebounds and three steals. Zach Ingle hit three 3-pointers and finished with 10 points. Hurley added five rebounds.
 
Beloit was paced by Azeez Ganiyu's double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds.
 
Coming up – The Rams travel to play rival Coe (8-1) at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Cedar Rapids. The Kohawks won the first meeting this season, 78-64.