MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's women's basketball team withstood a furious fourth-quarter rally by Illinois College and came out a 64-61 overtime winner in Tuesday's Midwest Conference opener inside the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.
 
The Rams (2-4 overall, 1-0 MWC) were in control most of the contest and built a sizeable 46-28 lead late in the third quarter. Illinois College (3-4 overall, 0-1 MWC) charged back with 23 unanswered points and ultimately tied the game on a 3-pointer with 29 seconds left in regulation to force overtime.
 
Cornell came through late in the extra five-minute period, getting a 15-foot baseline jumper from Ani'ja Simmons that pushed the Rams ahead 62-61 with 28 seconds remaining.
 
Junior guard Mia Murray, who assisted on Simmons' go-ahead bucket, corralled a steal on Illinois College's ensuing possession and knocked in two free throws, making the score 64-61 with 10 seconds left. Cornell's A'ryn Jackson blocked an Illinois College jumper on the other end as time expired, sending the Rams out victorious.
 
The Rams received key contributions from a host of players, including a career-high 16 points off the bench from sophomore Tenley Cavanagh, who went 5-for-10 from 3-point range. Cavanagh also had seven rebounds and three steals.
 
Kali March and Heidi Jorgensen netted 14 and 12 points, respectively. Simmons posted a game-high 13 rebounds. Bradie Buffington provided seven points off the bench.
 
The Rams totaled 19 steals off 29 Illinois College turnovers. Randi Wright, Simmons and Jackson had three steals apiece.
 
Illinois College was held to 29.6-percent shooting for the game.
 
Coming up – The Rams travel to play Lake Forest (1-5 overall, 1-1 MWC) at 3 p.m. Saturday in Lake Forest, Ill.