MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's Erin Knowles torched the stat sheet with 26 points and 18 rebounds in a dazzling collegiate debut and the Rams held on late for a 56-51 season-opening women's basketball win over Crown Saturday inside the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.
 
The 6-foot-1 Knowles had her double-double in the books by halftime (19 points, 10 rebounds) as Cornell built a 32-15 lead. The Rams' advantage ballooned to 25 points midway through the third quarter before the Polars mounted their comeback.
 
Crown trimmed its deficit to 54-51 with 41 seconds remaining. The Rams then iced the game with a free throw each from Reagan Wells and Heidi Jorgensen for the final margin.  
 
Knowles, among three freshmen starters in Cornell's starting lineup, shot 10-of-17 from the field with three 3-point goals. The impressive forward grabbed nine offensive rebounds and blocked two shots.
 
Wells collected seven points and six rebounds in her first collegiate action. Freshman Penley Park added five rebounds and four assists.
 
The Rams beat Crown on the boards, 53-47, and limited the visiting team to 26.9-percent shooting.
 
Coming up – The Rams host the Cornell Classic next weekend. The two-day event starts Saturday, Nov. 16 with Coe vs. UW-Platteville at 5 p.m., followed by Cornell vs. Saint Mary's at 7 p.m.