MONMOUTH, Ill. – The upset-minded Rams had Midwest Conference unbeaten Monmouth in a tie game at halftime, although came up short Tuesday night in an 83-66 men's basketball loss at Glennie Gym.
Cornell (3-15 overall, 2-7 MWC) gave the Fighting Scots (15-4, 10-0) all they wanted for most of the contest and closed within 56-52 on a
Garrett Hempen putback with 11:19 left in regulation.
Monmouth gained control with a 14-1 spurt over the next six minutes en route to a 45-point second half and its seventh consecutive victory.
The Rams, who battled Monmouth in a 70-67 home loss on Jan. 3, placed three freshmen scorers in double figures.
Wayne Jurica led the way with 14 points.
Cristian Acevedo posted collegiate-highs of 13 points and eight rebounds, hitting 6-of-9 shots from the field.
Kylen Bonner contributed 12 points, five assists, five rebounds and three steals.
The Fighting Scots were hot from long range, draining 11-of-25 3-point attempts. The Rams went 5-of-24 from distance.
Cornell shot 51.6 percent from the field in the first half as the teams headed into the break tied at 38-38.
Reigning MWC Player of the Year Zay Brown paced Monmouth with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Coming up – The Rams are on the road Saturday to face third-place Lake Forest (12-7 overall, 7-3 MWC) at 1 p.m. Saturday in Lake Forest, Ill. The Foresters won the first meeting, 94-74, in Mount Vernon.
