APPLETON, Wis. – Cornell scored the game's final five points and secured a pivotal 65-61 road win over Lawrence in Midwest Conference men's basketball action Sunday afternoon inside Alexander Gym.
 
The Rams (6-10 overall, 3-4 MWC) continued to gain ground in the league race with their fourth consecutive victory, and third straight in MWC play.
 
Jayden Meeker and Zach Ingle tallied 20 and 17 points, respectively, to pace the surging Rams, who held their fifth consecutive opponent to fewer than 65 points.
 
Cornell shot a season-best 53.3 percent from the field – including 8-of-12 from 3-point land – although played from behind for most of this contest. The Rams trailed the Vikings (3-13 overall, 1-6 MWC) 61-60 with less than one minute to go.
 
Meeker put the Rams ahead 62-61 on a driving bucket with 40 seconds left. Trey Totheroh grabbed a defensive rebound on the ensuing possession and drained two free throws, pushing the margin to 64-61 with 17 seconds remaining.
 
Lawrence misfired on a game-tying 3-point attempt. Dylan Hurley rebounded and hit one free throw to provide the final margin of victory.
 
Hurley finished with 11 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Julian Cleary came off the bench for nine points on 4-of-5 shooting. Sophomore Nate Jacobson made the only two shots he took – both 3-pointers – in his Cornell debut.
 
Meeker delivered his fourth consecutive 20-point game in MWC play. Ingle buried 4-of-6 3-point goals. Wallace Schmotzer pulled in seven rebounds.
 
Coming up – Cornell carries momentum into Wednesday's 5:30 p.m. home game with Knox (11-4 overall, 4-2 MWC) in the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.