WAVERLY – Cornell's women's basketball team was victim to a slow start against a tough opponent Wednesday night, dropping a 65-41 decision to American Rivers Conference preseason favorite Wartburg at Levick Arena.
 
Wartburg (2-2) held the Rams to two field goals in the opening 10 minutes and built a 19-6 lead through one quarter. Cornell (1-2) held its own the rest of the game, but couldn't make a dent in the early deficit.
 
Ani'ja Simmons and Madison Osborn netted 10 points apiece to pace the injury-riddled Rams, who had 13 players see court time. Madison Wauters pitched in eight points, while Simmons grabbed a team-high four rebounds. A'ryn Jackson collected two of the team's seven steals.
 
The Rams forced Wartburg into 20 turnovers and shot 9-of-13 from the foul line. The Knights countered with a 50-26 rebound advantage and a 16-of-20 touch from the charity stripe.
 
The Knights, who have made six consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament, limited the Rams to 25.0-percent shooting for the game.   
 
Coming up – The Rams play host to Luther in Sunday's home opener inside the Small Athletic and Wellness Center. Tipoff is 1 p.m.