MOUNT VERNON – Cornell center Madison Wauters came within one rebound of a double-double in Thursday's 64-48 women's basketball loss to American Rivers Conference foe Dubuque inside the Small Sport Center.
 
The Rams (1-2) endured a cold 29.7-percent shooting night from the field and lost the battle on the boards, 48-37, to the undefeated Spartans (3-0).
 
Wauters tossed in 12 of her team-high 17 points in the second half. She hit 7-of-12 field goals and also led the Rams with nine rebounds, five coming on the offensive end.
 
Madison Osborn buried three 3-pointers for nine points and dished four assists. Ani'ja Simmons and Rachael Adewusi collected seven and six rebounds, respectively. Adewusi also had three of the team's 12 steals.
 
Dubuque took control early, building leads of 17-7 through one quarter and 30-17 at the half. The Rams fought back from an 18-point second half deficit, pulling within 51-44 on a jumper by Wauters with 4:37 left in regulation. The Spartans answered with a 9-0 run to put the game out of reach.
 
The Spartans outscored Cornell in the paint, 44-22, and got a big boost off the bench from freshman Karsen Kershner, who totaled 21 points, eight rebounds, four blocked shots and three steals.
 
The Rams stay home Saturday for a 3 p.m. contest against WIAC foe UW-La Crosse (4-0).