LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Reggie Greenwood's buzzer-beating layup tied it at the end of regulation and Cornell's defense took it from there for a 69-67 overtime victory over Midwest Conference foe Lake Forest Saturday night on the road.

The Rams (5-7 overall, 4-3 MWC) led by as many as 19 points in the second half, but needed a late rally trailing by four points with 21 seconds remaining in regulation. Senior Alex Miller pulled Cornell to within 65-63 on a layup with 16 seconds left. 

Lake Forest (4-8, 2-5 MWC) missed a pair of free throws on the ensuing possession, giving Greenwood and the Rams a chance at the end. Greenwood followed up his own miss just before time expired to force overtime at 65-65.

Junior forward Joey Guth sank a 3-pointer on Cornell's first possession of overtime, and that proved to be all the Rams would need the rest of the way. The Foresters cut it to 68-67 on two free throws with 2:48 to go in the extra session. Greenwood added one free throw with 15 seconds left to provide the final margin.

Lake Forest went 0-for-5 from the field in overtime, including a 3-pointer that was off the mark at the buzzer.

Guth led the Rams with 20 points behind 4-of-8 shooting from 3-point range. Greenwood hit three 3-pointers and finished with 14 points and a game-high eight rebounds. Sophomore Nick Bobb added 12 points and six boards.

Peter Catchings dished a team-high four assists and collected a pair of steals. Alec Winzenried had six points off the bench.

The Rams, who made 10-of-18 3-point goals, took a 34-19 lead into intermission and stretched the margin to 40-21 on a pair of Guth free throws early in the second half.

Lake Forest's last field goal of the game – a 3-pointer by Jeff Beck that gave the hosts a 61-59 lead – came with 2:32 remaining in the second half. Beck led all scorers with 34 points on 12-of-21 shooting.

The win moved coach Chad Murray's Rams within one game of the conference lead. Carroll, Grinnell, St. Norbert and Beloit are all locked in a first-place tie at 5-2 in league play.

Coming up – The Rams play host to Grinnell's high-octane offense in an MWC contest at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9 in the Small Multi-Sport Center. The Pioneers (8-3, 5-2 MWC) were dealt a 119-110 road loss to Carroll Saturday.