MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's Kali March pumped in a game-high 18 points, although a late spurt by Coe pushed the Kohawks to a 64-60 women's basketball win in both teams' season opener Monday night in the Small Sport Center.
 
The back-and-forth rivalry game saw the lead switch hands 15 times. The Rams (0-1) led 56-52 with less than four minutes to go when Coe (1-0) went on an 8-0 run and pulled ahead to stay down the stretch.
 
The Rams trimmed the deficit to 61-60 on a pair of free throws by Madison Osborn with 23 seconds remaining. The Kohawks answered with two free throws on their end, making it a 63-60 game but with enough time for Cornell to have a chance on its final possession.
 
Cornell had two good 3-point looks fall off the mark in the closing seconds. The Kohawks made one free throw to seal with three ticks left on the clock.
 
The Kohawks gained one point in the 2021-22 Bremner Cup All-Sport Series, which is now tied at 3-3.
 
March, a sophomore guard, went 6-of-10 from the field and drained four 3-pointers to pace the young Rams. Madison Wauters had a solid night inside with nine points and 10 rebounds.
 
The Rams received 13 points apiece from Osborn and Rachael Adewusi. Ani'ja Simmons grabbed six rebounds, while Adewusi and Katelyn Burns each pulled down five.
 
Cornell led 18-11 after one quarter, 30-22 at the half. The Kohawks climbed back in it with outside shooting, hitting six of their 10 3-pointers after intermission.
 
The Rams are back in action Sunday for a 2 p.m. nonconference game against Luther in Decorah.