MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's women's basketball team kept pace with high-scoring Luther for the majority of Friday's nonconference contest before falling 75-67 inside the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.
 
The young Rams (7-4) were dealt their first loss in more than four weeks, which snapped a six-game winning streak. Luther improved to 8-2 overall.
 
Freshman Erin Knowles poured in a game-high 22 points while first-year teammate Reagan Wells tallied 19 points and four steals to guide the Rams, who stayed within 56-50 through three quarters.
 
The Norse gained separation with an 8-0 spurt to start the final period and held on from there.
 
Knowles surpassed the 200-point mark in only the 11th game of her promising career. She hit 10-of-19 field goals for the game.
 
The Rams connected for nine 3-point goals, including three each from Wells and Tenley Cavanagh. Rylee VanDresar sank a pair of threes and finished with 10 points. Cavanagh had nine points. Heidi Jorgensen pitched in five rebounds and five assists.  
 
Kailey Jones delivered 20 points and 13 rebounds for the Norse, who shot 13-of-32 from 3-point range.
 
Coming up – Cornell returns from the holiday break to face Rockford at 1 p.m. Jan. 4 in Rockford, Ill.