GALESBURG, Ill. – The reigning Midwest Conference Performer of the Week, Jayden Meeker was undoubtedly Cornell's player of the game Wednesday night in an 82-69 men's basketball win over Knox at Memorial Gym.
 
Meeker poured in 30 points – three shy of his collegiate best – and snared a career-high 13 rebounds in helping the Rams (12-5 overall, 6-2 MWC) jump into a three-way tie for first place in the MWC race at the halfway point of the league season.
 
Meeker drained 11-of-17 field goals and shot 8-of-11 from the foul line. The senior guard recorded his sixth career double-double, and second in the last three games. Meeker grabbed 11 defensive rebounds.
 
Zach Ingle also got the Rams off and running early, netting 15 of his 17 points in the first half as Cornell built a 42-35 lead at the break. Ingle hit three of the team's nine 3-point goals on the night.
 
Freshman Keon Talgo made an impact in his return to Cornell's lineup with 11 points, including three 3-pointers. Dylan Hurley collected eight rebounds and a game-high eight assists.
 
Coach Dave Schlabaugh notched his 90th victory with the Rams, climbing to No. 2 on the program's all-time list.
 
Meeker accounted for nine of Cornell's points during a game-shifting 10-0 run to start the second half, increasing the lead to 52-35. Knox (4-12 overall, 1-6 MWC) got no closer than 10 points the rest of the way.
 
Cornell connected on 17-of-21 free throws and scored 19 points off Knox turnovers.
 
Coming up – The Rams play host to Illinois College (12-5 overall, 5-3 MWC) at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Cornell won the first meeting this season, 71-67.