MOUNT VERNON – Ripon took away a game the Rams controlled throughout, scoring the decisive bucket with 1.7 seconds left in Wednesday's 64-62 men's basketball win over Cornell inside the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.
 
Jayden Meeker tossed in 24 points and Dylan Hurley posted his first double-double as a Ram with 12 points and 12 rebounds to pace Cornell (7-15 overall, 4-9 Midwest Conference), which trailed for only 20 seconds of the contest.
 
The Rams led 34-23 at intermission, although Ripon (8-14 overall, 6-7 MWC) charged back in the second half behind 66.7-percent shooting over the final 20 minutes.
 
Meeker scored his final basket with 3:03 left in regulation, giving the Rams a 61-55 advantage. The Red Hawks erased the deficit and tied it at 62-62 on a free throw with 29 seconds to go, prompting Cornell to call timeout with possession.
 
The Rams came up empty on a contested drive to the hoop. The Red Hawks rebounded and Cameron Ford converted the go-ahead layup with only one second left. Zach Ingle's 35-foot attempt from the wing was just short off the front rim as time expired.
 
Hurley secured a game-high four steals in his big night, which saw him shoot 5-of-7 from the field. Meeker netted 17 first-half points and finished with five rebounds and four assists. Ingle had 15 points, while Nate Jacobson pitched in nine.
 
The Red Hawks shot just 6-of-14 from the foul line, while Cornell went 13-of-22.
 
Connor Spielvogel came off Ripon's bench to score 15 points with five 3-pointers. The Red Hawks connected on 10-of-19 3-point goals.
 
Coming up – The Rams play host to Lawrence (5-18 overall, 3-11 MWC) Saturday for a 1 p.m. Senior Day matchup.