MOUNT VERNON – Cornell received a game-high 18 points from freshman standout Erin Knowles, although couldn't keep pace with six-time defending Midwest Conference champion Ripon in Saturday's 73-47 women's basketball loss inside the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.
 
The visiting Red Hawks (15-4 overall, 9-1 MWC) held a 34-14 advantage in paint points and stayed alone atop the league standings. The young Rams (11-7 overall, 7-3 MWC) slipped into a tie for third place with six games to go.
 
Knowles, the MWC's leading scorer, matched her season average and also led the Rams with six rebounds. She accounted for eight of the team's 19 made free throws in the game.
 
First-year Reagan Wells was a perfect 7-of-7 from the foul line and finished with 14 points for Cornell, which endured a tough 4-of-22 shooting day from 3-point land.
 
The Red Hawks, who rank No. 2 nationally in rebounding margin, owned a 43-25 advantage Saturday and collected 20 second-chance points with help from 17 offensive boards.
 
Ripon used an 8-0 run at the end of the first half to build a 33-17 lead at intermission. The Red Hawks played with a double-digit lead the entire second half.
 
The Rams finished a solid 19-of-26 shooting from the free throw line. Tenley Cavanagh provided five points and three steals off Cornell's bench.
 
Ripon was led by Halle Van Horn's 15 points and nine rebounds.
 
Coming up – Cornell visits in-state rival Grinnell (13-7 overall, 7-4 MWC) at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. The Rams won the first meeting, 54-53.