MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's 41-point second half was not quite enough against the defending Midwest Conference champions in Wednesday's 69-65 women's basketball battle with Knox inside the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.
 
Senior forward Ani'ja Simmons delivered a career-high 21 points on 9-of-10 field goal shooting for the Rams (8-9 overall, 6-2 MWC), who kept pace with the nation's No. 5-ranked scoring offense (82.1 ppg) for the duration.
 
The Rams had their four-game winning streak snapped, although remain in sole possession of second place at the halfway point of the MWC slate. Knox improved to 12-4 overall, 4-3 in the MWC.
 
Simmons netted 13 points in the fourth quarter alone, hitting all five of her field goal attempts while going 3-of-3 from the foul line. Her offensive rebound and putback gave Cornell its last lead of the contest at 65-63 with 2:41 remaining.
 
The Prairie Fire answered with a conventional 3-point play on the ensuing trip to forge back ahead at 66-65. Knox forced the Rams into turnovers on their final three possessions and came away with a game-sealing steal with one second left and Cornell down three.
 
The Rams trailed 31-24 at halftime, although quickly erased the deficit with a 7-0 surge to start the third quarter.
 
Simmons posted a game-high eight rebounds to cap her stellar night. First-year Heidi Jorgensen drained three 3-pointers and finished with 11 points. Rachael Adewusi contributed eight points and seven rebounds. Kali March had seven points, seven rebounds and six assists.  
 
Knox held a 10-point advantage from the foul line, making 16-of-30 attempts. The Rams finished 6-of-9 from the line.
 
Coming up – Cornell travels to play Illinois College (9-8 overall, 4-4 MWC) at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in Jacksonville, Ill. The Rams won the first meeting, 64-61 in overtime.