MOUNT VERNON – Coming off a 92-point performance its last time out, Cornell's men's basketball team was slowed down by Illinois College in Wednesday's 77-61 Midwest Conference loss at the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.
 
Impressive freshman guard Kylen Bonner paced the Rams (2-14 overall, 1-6 MWC) in scoring for the fourth consecutive game with 16 points on 6-of-13 shooting from the field. Fellow first-year Wayne Jurica joined him in double figures with 13 points.
 
Cornell stayed within striking distance most of the way against the fourth-place Blueboys (8-9 overall, 5-3 MWC), who entered with the MWC's No. 2 scoring defense (69.6 ppg). Bonner's fastbreak bucket pulled the Rams within 64-59 with 3:57 left in regulation.
 
Illinois College then took control with 13 unanswered points in crunch time, pushing the margin to 77-59 with less than one minute to go.
 
The Rams were pressured into 22 turnovers, which Illinois College converted into 33 points. The Blueboys attempted 17 more field goals and also held a 23-3 advantage in second-chance points.
 
Cornell's Cristian Acevedo and Luke Hellige recorded identical stat lines of eight points and six rebounds. Jurica dished three assists and Bonner had three steals.
 
Coming up – The Rams travel to play Beloit (5-12 overall, 0-8 MWC) at 1 p.m. Saturday in Beloit, Wis.