GRINNELL – Grinnell fended off a late Cornell rally, 72-65, in Wednesday's matchup of Midwest Conference women's basketball contenders inside Darby Gymnasium.
 
Senior Kali March and first-year Heidi Jorgensen carried the scoring load with 40 combined points and nine 3-point goals for the visiting Rams (3-5 overall, 2-1 MWC), who were without two starting post players against their in-state rival.
 
The hot-shooting March poured in a game-high 23 points, topping the 20-point mark for the third time in her last four games. She drained five 3-pointers to become the 10th Ram in program history to make 100 in a career. March also recorded five of Cornell's 12 steals on the night.
 
Jorgensen netted a career-best 17 points with four 3-pointers. Mia Murray had 11 points and eight rebounds. Ani'ja Simmons added six rebounds and four steals for the Rams, who took a 30-23 lead into intermission.
 
The Pioneers (6-3 overall, 3-1 MWC) gained momentum in the fourth quarter, building their largest lead of the game at 68-58 with 3:18 remaining. Two buckets by March, sandwiched by a Murray left-handed scoop brought the Rams within 68-65 with less than one minute to go.
 
Cornell misfired on its final five shots while the Pioneers sealed the win from the foul line.
 
The Rams turned the ball over only eight times. Grinnell was fueled by 49.1-percent shooting from the field, including an 11-of-24 touch from 3-point range.
 
Coming up – The Rams are home Saturday to face Beloit (2-7 overall, 1-2 MWC) at 3 p.m. inside the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.