MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's men's basketball team went stride for stride with Midwest Conference co-leader Grinnell Wednesday night, but couldn't withstand a late flurry by the Pioneers in a tough 91-88 loss inside the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.
 
Grinnell (16-4 overall, 10-2 MWC) rallied from 17 points down over the final eight minutes and spoiled an impressive double-double by Cornell's Jayden Meeker, who totaled a career-high 33 points and 12 rebounds.
 
The Rams (6-14 overall, 3-8 MWC) led for more than 27 minutes of the contest, building their biggest advantage at 83-66 on a Nate Jacobson 3-pointer with 7:51 left in regulation. The Pioneers charged back with a 19-2 spurt and claimed their first lead of the half at 88-87 with 2:14 remaining.
 
A Dylan Hurley free throw brought Cornell within 91-88 with 1:20 to go, although that wound up to be the final point of the game as both teams missed key foul shots down the stretch. Meeker's contested half-court heave was off the mark as time expired.
 
Meeker turned in another stellar performance, logging 36 minutes against Grinnell's full-court pressure. The junior guard shot a sizzling 15-of-22 from the field, grabbed 12 defensive rebounds and distributed a game-high five assists. Meeker eclipsed the 20-point mark for the seventh consecutive game.
 
Zach Ingle sank five 3-pointers and finished with 21 points. Jacobson add 13 points and six rebounds. Hurley provided nine points and eight boards. Jaxson Herring came off the bench to secure nine rebounds.
 
Grinnell freshman Kai Te Huki led all scorers with 43 points, 23 coming after intermission.
 
The Pioneers, who entered with the nation's No. 2 scoring offense, were held 21 points under their season average. Grinnell went 15-of-27 from the foul line, while Cornell shot 8-of-16.
 
Coming up – Cornell heads to Beloit (13-7 overall, 7-5 MWC) Saturday for a 1 p.m. match in Beloit, Wis. The Buccaneers won the first meeting, 70-60.