MOUNT VERNON – Cornell hung close with first-place Ripon into the fourth quarter before the Red Hawks pulled away, 59-48, in Midwest Conference women's basketball action Wednesday night inside the Small Sport Center.
 
The Red Hawks (11-9 overall, 10-1 MWC) completed a regular-season sweep of Cornell (11-7 overall, 6-5 MWC), which went overtime with Ripon on the road Jan. 29.
 
The Rams stand fourth in a congested conference race. They are among four teams with five MWC losses, two games behind second-place Monmouth (9-3 MWC).    
 
Cornell had Ripon in a two-possession game when Rachael Adewusi's two free throws cut the margin to 40-34 with 9:07 left in regulation. The Red Hawks responded with a 12-0 spurt over the next three minutes to put it out of reach.
 
Madison Wauters reached double figures scoring for the fifth consecutive game, leading the Rams with 16 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field. The junior center also had eight rebounds.
 
Adewusi and Madison Osborn pitched in 10 points apiece. Ani'ja Simmons grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds to go with six points. Kali March collected three of Cornell's seven steals.
 
The Rams attempted only two free throws, making both. Cornell held a 38-30 advantage in points scored in the paint.
 
Cornell's scheduled home game Saturday against Lawrence (8-10 overall, 5-5 MWC) has been postponed due to COVID-19 protocols. A determination on Sunday's 3 p.m. contest at Lawrence has not yet been made.