MOUNT VERNON – Grinnell used an 11-0 second-half run to get past Cornell, 42-38, on a challenging offensive night for both Midwest Conference women's basketball teams inside the Small Sport Center.
 
Playing their first home contest in six weeks, the Rams (9-5 overall, 4-3 MWC) led their in-state rival for more than 30 minutes. But Cornell could never could find its shooting touch, spoiling a strong defensive performance against the Pioneers (7-9 overall, 4-5 MWC).
 
Cornell junior center Madison Wauters delivered her fourth double-double of the season with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Sophomore Rachael Adewusi was also tough on the boards, corralling a season-high 15 rebounds.
 
The Rams totaled 22 offensive rebounds in a game which they shot only 17.6 percent from the field and went 12-of-22 from the foul line. Cornell held the MWC's leading scorer Erin Lillis to 4-of-16 shooting and 13 points. Grinnell managed to shoot just 29.1 percent from the floor.
 
Cornell limited the Pioneers to four second-quarter points and took a 22-12 lead into intermission. The Rams led 31-25 late in the third quarter before Grinnell reeled off 11 unanswered points to claim a 36-31 advantage with five minutes left in regulation.
 
A jumper by Madison Osborn and a free throw from Wauters brought Cornell to within 40-38 with 1:11 remaining. The Rams misfired on a go-ahead 3-point attempt at the 21-second mark and Lillis then sank two free throws to seal the game.
 
Cornell won the rebounding battle, 53-49, and forced the Pioneers into 16 turnovers while committing eight.   
 
The Rams are back home Thursday to face Monmouth (8-5 overall, 5-2 MWC) at 7:30 p.m.