MOUNT VERNON – What a difference two days made for Cornell's women's basketball team.
 
The Rams turned the tables on Knox Monday night and won running away, 71-42, in a battle between Midwest Conference Tournament hopefuls inside the Small Sport Center.
 
Cornell (11-6 overall, 6-4 MWC) gained ground in the conference race, now only percentage points behind third-place Knox (10-9 overall, 8-4 MWC), which saw its eight-game winning streak come to a screeching halt.
 
The Rams connected on a season-high 12 3-point goals, two days after going 2-of-24 from long range in a 19-point loss to the same Prairie Fire squad in Galesburg, Ill. Cornell had seven players make a 3-pointer, led by Madison Osborn and Megan Gandrup with three triples apiece.
 
Cornell opened a 14-7 advantage after one quarter and only expanded on the lead the rest of the way. The Rams delivered the knockout blow with a 24-10 third-quarter surge.
 
The Rams had 10 players etch into the scoring column, paced by Madison Wauters' 16 points. The junior center's fine all-around effort included seven rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a steal.
 
Rachael Adewusi tallied 12 points, five rebounds and a pair of blocked shots. The Rams got nine points apiece from Osborn, Gandrup and Kali March. Ani'ja Simmons hauled in a game-high 10 rebounds. Osborn added four steals, March four assists.
 
The Rams held Knox scoreless from the 3-point line (0-of-14). The Prairie Fire shot a chilly 27.1 percent from the field, to Cornell's 45.6-percent clip.  
 
Cornell continues a hectic final stretch with a 7:30 p.m. home game Wednesday against first-place Ripon (10-9 overall, 9-1 MWC). The Rams fell 77-72 in overtime at Ripon Jan. 29.