GALESBURG, Ill. – Cornell's undefeated start to the Midwest Conference season ended Wednesday night, falling 72-45 in a first-place women's basketball showdown with Knox inside Memorial Gym.
 
The Rams (6-7 overall, 5-1 MWC) raced to a 10-point lead after one quarter, although were limited to five made field goals the rest of the way as Knox (10-4 overall, 5-0 MWC) climbed into sole possession atop the league standings.
 
Playing without starting forward Ani'ja Simmons due to injury, Cornell stepped up to the challenge early against the MWC's top scoring offense. The Rams shot 64.3 percent in the first quarter, capped by a Kali March 3-pointer that pushed Cornell ahead 23-13 through 10 minutes.
 
March finished with a game-high 15 points and went 5-of-5 from the foul line. She added two steals, giving her 54 on the season, most in the MWC.
 
The Prairie Fire came back to take a 32-30 lead at halftime and didn't trail the rest of the game. Knox hit five 3-pointers in the second half and finished a hot 9-of-19 from long range against Cornell's top-ranked scoring defense in the MWC.
 
Madison Wauters collected 12 points and six rebounds for the Rams, whose 21 turnovers led to 30 points for the Prairie Fire. Megan Gandrup added nine points, connecting on three 3-point goals.
 
The Rams converted 11-of-13 free throws. They entered the contest ranked No. 7 nationally in free throw percentage (76.4).
 
Kristin Herndon paced Knox with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
 
Coming up – Cornell is home Saturday for a 1 p.m. matchup with Lawrence (6-10 overall, 2-5 MWC) inside the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.