JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – Cornell's late-season push toward a Midwest Conference Tournament berth ended Wednesday night with a heart-breaking 76-75 men's basketball loss to Illinois College at Sherman Gymnasium.
 
The Rams (6-18 overall, 5-10 MWC) came up empty twice on drives to the bucket in the final eight seconds, snapping a three-game winning streak and eliminating their postseason chances.
 
Illinois College (11-13 overall, 8-7 MWC), which led 76-68 with 1:56 remaining, held on just long enough to clinch the fourth and final spot into next week's MWC Tournament.
 
With four freshmen in its starting lineup, Cornell showed fight down the stretch by scoring the game's final seven points. Back-to-back buckets from Wayne Jurica and Cristian Acevedo, followed by a 3-pointer from Luke Hellige, brought Cornell to 76-75 with 33 seconds left.
 
The Rams forced a turnover on the ensuing possession, although Kylen Bonner's runner in the lane was too strong. Illinois College then missed the front end of a 1-and-1 free throw, prompting a Cornell timeout with the ball and six seconds to go.
 
Jurica dribbled the length of the court and put up a contested running shot from the right block that bounced off the back rim and out as time expired. Jurica finished a strong night with a game-high 19 points – his second-highest total of the season – against the MWC's No. 1 scoring defense.
 
Hellige buried four 3-point goals and tied his collegiate-high with 14 points. Acevedo had eight points and six rebounds.
 
A tight game throughout, Cornell left points on the floor with 15-of-23 foul shooting. The Blueboys held a decisive 49-33 advantage in rebounds.
 
Coming up – The Rams conclude the regular season Saturday with a 1 p.m. home tipoff against MWC co-leader Grinnell (19-3 overall, 14-1 MWC) inside the Small Athletic and Wellness Center. The Pioneers won the first meeting, 94-75.