MOUNT VERNON - Cornell freshman Erin Knowles continued a strong start to her collegiate career with 19 points in Saturday's 51-47 women's basketball loss to St. Mary's (Minn.) on the opening night at the Cornell Classic.
 
Knowles has scored 45 points in her first two games with the Rams (1-1). The 6-foot-1 forward led Cornell with six rebounds and dished out three assists against the Cardinals (1-0).
 
Cornell's young lineup forced 19 turnovers, battling from behind for most of the game. The Rams converted 16 points off takeaways.
 
The Rams mustered a rally late in the fourth quarter, drawing within 48-45 with 2:10 remaining on back-to-back triples from Maya Hodge and Reagan Wells.
 
Cornell had several chances in the final minute to tie, but two Heidi Jorgensen 3-point shots rimmed out.
 
Rylee VanDresar chipped in six rebounds. Jorgensen and A'ryn Jackson each contributed two steals.
 
St. Mary's outrebounded Cornell, 44-35, and held the Rams to 31.5-percent shooting from the floor.
 
Coming up  – The Rams face UW-Platteville (1-1) at 3 p.m. Sunday during the final day of the Cornell Classic.