MOUNT VERNON – In a preview of next week's Midwest Conference Tournament matchup, Cornell held the upper hand Tuesday night with an 80-75 men's basketball win over Monmouth inside the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.
 
The Rams (13-11 overall, 11-4 MWC) completed a regular-season sweep of the Fighting Scots (14-11 overall, 10-6 MWC) and sealed second place in the MWC standings. The teams will meet once more on Feb. 24 in Jacksonville, Ill., site of the MWC Tournament.
 
Cornell reeled off its ninth victory in the last 10 games and topped the 80-point mark for the sixth time this season, thanks to a 51.8-percent shooting night from the field.
 
Sophomore Zach Ingle scored 17 of his team-high 23 points after intermission in a game the Rams never trailed. Jordan Magnani pitched in 22 points to go with five rebounds and four assists in his final home game. The fifth-year guard moved within 36 points of Cornell's career scoring record.
 
Izic Mackey provided a strong all-around outing with 13 points, six rebounds and four assists. Jayden Meeker added 12 points and seven boards.
 
The Rams led by as many as 13 points in both halves, but couldn't shake the Fighting Scots until the very end. Ahead 78-75 with less than 15 seconds to go, Meeker delivered a pivotal blocked shot for the Rams. Mackey corralled the rebound, was fouled and sank two free throws for the final margin of victory.
 
Declan Flynn hit five 3-pointers and finished with a game-high 25 points for the Fighting Scots.
 
Coming up – Cornell closes the regular season Saturday at 3 p.m. against Beloit (7-17 overall, 3-12 MWC) in Beloit, Wis.