CEDAR RAPIDS – Cornell's women's basketball team led for the better portion of Wednesday's game, although couldn't close it out in a season-opening 57-52 loss to rival Coe inside Kohawk Arena.
 
Madison Wauters got her senior campaign off to a fine start, recording a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Kali March and Madison Osborn netted 10 points apiece for the Rams (0-1), who opened the contest on a 14-3 run.
 
The Kohawks (1-0) gained momentum in the second half and built their largest lead at 51-44 with 5:10 remaining. Cornell came back and closed within 51-50 on a bucket by Ani'ja Simmons with 1:28 left to play.
 
On the ensuing possession, Coe beat the shot clock with a long 3-pointer from the top of the key. The Kohawks then forced a turnover and hit two free throws to put the game out of reach.   
 
The Kohawks earned one point in the 2022-23 Bremner Cup All-Sport Series, which they led 4-2 going into the men's basketball game Wednesday night.
 
The Rams pressured Coe into 25 turnovers, led by Osborn's four steals. March and Karli Artman added three steals apiece.
 
Coe held a 34-25 advantage on the boards and connected for nine 3-point goals. The Rams shot 7-of-20 from beyond the arc, getting two 3-pointers apiece from Osborn and March.
 
The Rams scored the first seven points of the contest and never trailed in the opening half, leading 28-27 at the break.
 
Coming up – The Rams travel to play Central at 2 p.m. Saturday in Pella.