MOUNT VERNON – Cornell sank 16 second-half free throws and pulled away from Lawrence down the stretch in Saturday's 82-73 Midwest Conference men's basketball victory inside the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.
 
Fueled by a 49-point second half, the Rams (11-5 overall, 5-2 MWC) claimed their sixth consecutive series win over Lawrence and remained tied for second place in the league race, one game back of Grinnell (6-1 MWC).
 
Senior Jayden Meeker shouldered the scoring load for Cornell with a season-high 25 points, which included a 9-of-13 touch from the foul line. It was the fourth 20-point game in the last six outings for Meeker, who also corralled nine rebounds.
 
The see-saw affair witnessed 17 lead changes and had Cornell clinging to a 62-61 lead when the Rams broke it open with a 13-4 run. Junior Caleb Leslie capped the spurt with back-to-back 3-pointers, pushing Cornell ahead 75-65 with 2:39 remaining. Leslie accounted for all 11 of his points after intermission.
 
Nate Jacobson provided a lift off the bench with 13 points, while Connor Barnett netted 11. Senior Dylan Hurley turned in another fine floor game with eight assists – to no turnovers – and a team-best 10 rebounds. Barnett had eight boards.
 
The Rams held a 10-point free throw advantage, finishing 19-of-25 from the stripe.
 
The Vikings (4-12 overall, 2-5 MWC) were paced by Landon Key's 16 points and 12 rebounds.  
 
Coming up – The Rams are on the road Wednesday to face Knox (4-11 overall, 1-5 MWC) at 7:30 p.m. in Galesburg, Ill.