Cornell’s men’s basketball team concluded a five-game home stretch against American Rivers Conference leader Central Saturday, falling 70-58 inside the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.
The Rams competed to the end with Central’s huge front line that featured two 6-foot-10 starters, including Joshua Van Gorp who went for 26 points and 11 rebounds.
The Dutch (8-3) built a 13-point lead at halftime and held Cornell to 34.9-percent shooting for the game. Cornell (3-9) outscored the visitors, 33-32, after intermission.
Sophomore Jayden Meeker paced the Rams with 16 points, highlighted by a breakaway dunk in the late stages of the game. He sank 5-of-5 free throws and also collected four steals.
Zach Ingle gave the Rams a lift in his return to the lineup, totaling 12 points and eight rebounds. Logan Sharp added eight points and six rebounds.
The Dutch took control with a 12-0 spurt late in the second half, pushing their lead to 38-23. The margin expanded to 22 points in the second half before Cornell chipped away late.
Central outrebounded the Rams, 39-33, and owned a 36-20 advantage in paint points.
Earlier in the week, the Rams lost to Luther 75-64.
Cornell junior Logan Christensen netted 17 of his career-high 20 points in the second half, although Luther pulled away late for the win.
Jordan Magnani tossed in 23 points for the short-handed Rams (3-8), who played without Zach Ingle, the team’s leading scorer going into the contest. Magnani continued his ascent on Cornell’s career scoring list, leaping Jeff Fleming (1983-87) for fifth place with 1,382 points.
Magnani’s bucket tied the game for the 13th and final time at 48-48 with 8:35 left in regulation. After an 11-4 run by the Norse (2-8), a 3-pointer by Christensen and a jumper from Jeremy Durdan brought Cornell within 59-57 with less than five minutes to go.
The Rams managed only one field goal over the final 4:46 as Luther finished on a 16-7 spurt.
Christensen sank 7-of-9 field goals in his impressive outing, which also saw the 6-foot-1 guard grab six rebounds over 30 minutes. Cornell connected on 15-of-18 free throws, including a 6-for-6 touch by Magnani.
Jayden Meeker totaled a game-high seven rebounds to go with six points. Durdan added seven points and five boards
Luther knocked down 10 3-point goals, four coming from Aidan Bailey who led all scorers with 25 points.
The teams combined for only 13 turnovers, four by the Norse.
The Rams also lost 63-56 to Coe.
The Kohawks pulled within 34-27 by intermission and then outscored the Rams 36-22 in the second half.
Sophomore Zach Ingle tossed in a game-high 20 points and Jayden Meeker netted 15. The Rams received seven rebounds apiece from Sharp and Logan Christensen. Christensen also distributed five assists.
Coming up – Cornell travels to play Wartburg at 1 p.m. Dec. 31 in Waverly.