MONMOUTH, Ill. – Junior guard Madison Osborn scored a career-high 19 points as Cornell's women's basketball team fell just short in a 55-50 Midwest Conference setback to second-place Monmouth Tuesday night inside Glennie Gymnasium.
 
The Rams (11-8 overall, 6-6 MWC) settled for a season split with Monmouth (13-7 overall, 10-4 MWC) and now have a crucial road game ahead at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Illinois College with postseason implications at stake.
 
Cornell stands fifth in the league race, one-half game behind Illinois College (8-10 overall, 7-6 MWC) in this final week of the regular season. The top four teams qualify for the MWC Tournament.   
 
Osborn was feeling it from long range, hitting 5-of-7 3-point goals and giving the Rams a chance down the stretch. She finished 7-of-10 shooting from the field and also had a season-high five rebounds.
 
The Rams, who trailed for more than 34 minutes, pulled ahead 45-44 on an inside bucket by Rachael Adewusi with 4:03 left in regulation. The Fighting Scots sank 3-pointers on their next three possessions, putting the home team back in front 53-47.
 
Kali March drained a three to get the Rams within 53-50 with 24 seconds left. Monmouth made 2-of-4 free throws and hung on for the win.
 
The Rams received nine points from Madison Wauters, followed by Adewusi and Megan Gandrup with eight apiece. Adewusi collected a team-high six rebounds.
 
Monmouth made 10 3-pointers in the game, four by Kaitlyn Osmulski who finished with 15 points.