APPLETON, Wis. – Jayden Meeker cracked the Top 10 on Cornell's career scoring list and helped deliver a crucial 84-78 win over Lawrence in Midwest Conference men's basketball action Saturday at Alexander Gym.
 
Meeker netted a game-high 26 points and kept the Rams (14-9 overall, 8-6 MWC) in the playoff hunt heading into the final week of the regular season.
 
With the season sweep over Lawrence (6-18 overall, 4-11 MWC), Cornell is now among four teams battling for the final two spots in the MWC Tournament. The crowd of postseason hopefuls includes Illinois College at 9-6, followed by Cornell, Ripon and Lake Forest all at 8-6.
 
Meeker poured in 17 points in the opening half and finished with his 10th 20-plus point outing of the season. The senior guard sank 11-of-12 free throws and added 12 rebounds and five assists.
 
Zach Ingle and Caleb Leslie provided 18 and 14 points, respectively, for the Rams, who led by as many as 16 points in the second half. But that margin dwindled to 74-73 with 3:16 remaining.
 
Meeker and Dylan Hurley pulled the Rams through in crunch time, accounting for the team's final 10 points of the contest. They both went 4-for-4 from the foul line down the stretch to deny Lawrence's upset attempt.
 
Meeker raised his career points total to 1,274, passing Luke Feddersen (1999-2003) for No. 10 on the program's all-time list.
 
Ingle and Noah Williams grabbed six rebounds apiece for the Rams, who held a 41-35 advantage on the boards.
 
Coming up – The Rams are on the road Wednesday to face first-place Monmouth (18-5 overall, 12-2 MWC) at 7:30 p.m. in Monmouth, Ill. Cornell blew out the Fighting Scots, 82-65, on Jan. 14.