The Blueboys (5-3) hit 56 percent of their shots (14-25) in the opening half and led the 0-8 Rams 39-34 at the break. The winners led by as many as 10 during the second stanza but never could pull away en route to the four-point victory.
Cornell’s Griffin LaDew led the Rams with 17 points while teammates Michael Tierney and Nate Sojka added 16 and 10 points, respectively. Sophomore Joe Womble had 15 points for the Blueboys.
Gillingham sank 13 of his 14 free throws while Jennings, in his first start of the season at forward, hit all six of his field goal attempts and collected five rebounds. Jennings suffered a shoulder injury during the football season and did not see action on the court until the Blueboys’ loss to top-ranked Illinois Wesleyan University December 17.
Cornell posted a 37-32 edge in rebounds with Tierney, Sojka and Forrest Becker leading the Rams with six boards apiece. Gillingham had a team-high six rebounds for the winners.
Illinois College is scheduled to meet Rivier College of New Hampshire Saturday (December 31) at 4 p.m. PST. In Thursday’s other tournament game, Rivier defeated host Cal Tech, 55-54.