MOUNT VERNON – Cornell sophomore Erin Knowles delivered an offensive performance for the ages Tuesday night, although her career-high 35 points were not quite enough to complete a comeback in a 62-58 loss to North Central (Minn.) at the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.
 
Knowles tossed in 25 points after intermission – 13 in the fourth quarter – and nearly brought the host Rams (3-4) all the way back from a 15-point halftime deficit.
 
Knowles was four points shy of Cornell's single-game record of 39, set by Taylor Dicus at Knox on Dec. 4, 2013. The 6-foot-1 forward broke the school record for free throws made in a game with a deft 13-of-14 touch from the line. The previous mark was 12, shared by five players.  
 
Knowles finished 10-of-20 shooting from the field and also collected seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. She drew 10 fouls in 34 dominant minutes on the court.
 
First-year Kallynn Stroup also established a collegiate scoring high with 14 points off the bench. She made 6-of-12 field goals and led the Rams with eight rebounds.
 
The Rams sliced the sizable deficit to 47-38 after three quarters and pulled within two points on three occasions in the final period. Knowles' two free throws made it 54-52 with 3:45 remaining, although the Rams could not draw any closer.
 
Cornell finished 19-of-22 from the foul line for the game and scored 18 points off North Central turnovers. Cornell struggled from 3-point range, hitting only 3-of-22 attempts.
 
First-year Caroline Kron contributed five assists, five rebounds and two steals for Cornell.
 
North Central (4-5) made seven 3-pointers and had four players score in double figures, led by Moriah McLendon's 17 points.      
 
Coming up – The Rams are back in action Friday for a 6 p.m. tipoff against Marian (0-7) in Mount Vernon.