JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – Cornell's men's basketball team went to battle with Midwest Conference leader Illinois College, although couldn't complete the road upset in Tuesday's 77-71 loss inside Sherman Gymnasium.
 
Juniors Zach Ingle and Jayden Meeker combined for 49 points and gave the Rams (6-12 overall, 3-6 MWC) a chance late against the defending MWC champions (17-2 overall, 9-1 MWC), who are receiving votes in the national poll.
 
Ingle pumped in 18 of his team-high 25 points after intermission. He buried five 3-point goals, as did sophomore newcomer Nate Jacobson, who provided 15 points off Cornell's bench. Meeker finished with 24 points, five rebounds and four assists.
 
The Rams withstood a 17-1 first-half run by Illinois College and trailed 38-30 at the half. Cornell quickly charged ahead with 11 unanswered points to start the second half, capped by a 3-pointer from Ingle.
 
Ingle's fifth trifecta of the game knotted the score at 64-64 with 3:47 remaining. The Blueboys responded with 3-point buckets on their next two possessions and held off the Rams the rest of the way.
 
The hot-shooting Rams hit 11-of-23 3-pointers and went 10-of-11 from the foul line. Illinois College held a 37-28 advantage on the boards.
 
Wallace Schmotzer led the Rams with eight rebounds. Dylan Hurley added four assists and two steals. Ingle had three steals.
 
Jake Mazrimas and Buzz Ritzel scored 27 and 25 points, respectively, to pace the Blueboys.
 
Coming up – The Rams travel to play Ripon (5-13 overall, 3-6 MWC) at 1 p.m. Saturday in Ripon, Wis.