MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's women's basketball team took on a tough assignment Saturday afternoon, falling 89-59 to seven-time defending Midwest Conference regular-season champion Ripon inside the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.
 
Sophomore forward Erin Knowles had a solid all-around game to pace the young Rams (3-3 overall, 0-2 MWC) with 17 points, four rebounds, four steals and three assists. First-year Darby Haley came off Cornell's bench to contribute a season-high 11 points, all in the second half.
 
The Red Hawks (7-2 overall, 2-0 MWC), who are receiving votes in the national poll, had all five starters score in double figures, led by Natalie Rauwolf's 23 points.
 
Ripon took control early and built a 50-27 halftime lead against a Cornell team that ranked No. 2 in the MWC in scoring defense (51.0 ppg). The Red Hawks held a 45-25 advantage on the boards and made more free throws (19) than the Rams attempted (17).
 
First-year Caroline Kron collected eight points and two blocked shots for Cornell. First-year Maggie Thompson grabbed a team-high five rebounds.  
 
The Rams outscored the visitors 20-19 in the fourth quarter. Ripon finished the game with 27 second-chance points, to Cornell's three.
 
Coming up – The Rams host North Central (Minn.) for a nonconference game at 6 p.m. Tuesday.