ST. BONIFACIUS, Minn. – Senior guard Kali March tossed in 24 points and Cornell pulled away late for a 79-70 road win over Crown in women's basketball action Monday night inside the Athletic Center.
 
March scored half of her points from the foul line, hitting 12-of-14 attempts in guiding the Rams (1-4) to their first victory of the young season.
 
Cornell made 20-of-23 free throws, drained 11 3-point goals and had four players score in double figures in its best offensive outing through five games. Randi Wright and Tenley Cavanagh pitched in 11 points apiece and Heidi Jorgensen added 10.
 
The Rams came out firing from long range, sinking 6-of-7 3-pointers in the first quarter to take a 25-15 lead. The team stretched the margin to 45-31 at halftime.
 
Crown (0-6) erased an 18-point third-quarter deficit and briefly held a 60-58 advantage with 7:25 remaining in regulation. The Rams answered with 3-pointers by Cavanagh, Wright and Jorgensen to charge back ahead at 67-62.
 
The Rams buried 10-of-12 foul shots over the final 2:44 to preserve the victory.    
 
March, who came within two points of her career high, added five rebounds and three assists to her strong night. Ani'ja Simmons came off the bench for eight points and a team-best seven rebounds. Bradie Buffington provided seven points and five boards in a reserve role.
 
The Rams hurried Crown into 19 turnovers, while committing only nine.
 
Coming up – The Rams return from the holiday break to face Illinois College at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28 in the Midwest Conference opener for both teams in Mount Vernon.