Athletics - Women's Basketball

Coming up — Wednesday, Feb. 6, at Dubuque (11-9 overall, 5-6 Iowa Conference), Dubuque, 6 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 9, Buena Vista (10-10, 4-7), Storm Lake, 2 p.m.

Ram review – Cornell (8-11 overall, 3-7 IIAC) equaled its win total from last season after splitting a pair of league games last week. The Rams topped the 80-point mark for the third time this season in an 81-65 win at Central Jan. 30, avenging a loss to the Dutch earlier this season. Cornell finished the week on the short end of a 64-58 home decision to Luther Feb. 2.

The Rams stand seventh in the IIAC race, but are just one game out of a tie for fourth place in the loss column. The top six teams in the regular season qualify for the IIAC Tournament.

Luther 64, Cornell 58 (Feb. 2, at Mount Vernon)
The Rams battled defending IIAC champion Luther to a two-point game at halftime, but then the Norse took control with a 19-0 run to start the second half.

“We played really well for 20 minutes, but didn’t maintain the high energy level we needed to play with,” Cornell head coach Brent Brase said. “We didn’t knock down some open shots we usually make and that was the difference in the game. On a very positive note, we continued to take care of the ball and get more shots than our opponent.”

Cornell was held scoreless for a nine-minute stretch that spanned both halves. Tiffany Cowan (Independence, Mo./Truman) ended the scoring drought with a field goal at the 12:40 mark of the second half after Luther built its biggest lead of the game at 50-29. The Rams shot just 31.9 percent for the game and lost the battle on the boards, 42-37.

Freshman Melanie Duplessis (Lindenhurst, Ill./Warren Township) notched her seventh consecutive double-figure scoring game, finishing with 19 points on 8-of-19 shooting. Charlotte Milas (Arlington Heights, Ill./Rolling Meadows) pitched in 13 points and Alicia West (Plymouth, Wis./ Plymouth) came off the bench to add 10. Cowan led the Rams with nine rebounds and Brianna Wallace (Eldridge/North Scott) collected a game-high five steals.

Cornell 81, Central 65 (Jan. 30, at Pella)
The Rams built a 17-point lead at halftime and coasted to a big road win over Central. It was the third-most points scored by the Rams this season and most in an IIAC game since putting up 85 in a loss at Central Feb. 4, 2006.

“We really came out and played with high intensity on defense and took Central out of its game,” Brase said. “We continue to make positive strides as a team. The attitude and work ethic of the team in practice is tremendous and is why we continue to improve.”

Milas poured in a career-high 17 points behind 7-of-11 shooting to pace four Rams in double figures scoring. Duplessis netted 16 points, West 12 and Cowan 11. Kristin Paczosa (Arlington Heights, Ill./ Buffalo Grove) posted a team-high seven rebounds and Cowan collected five steals.

The Rams scored 26 points off 26 Central turnovers and opened their biggest lead of the game at 79-48 with 5:43 left to play. The Rams dished out 22 assists, five each from Wallace and Meghan Gorski (Villa Park, Ill./St. Francis).

Cowan climbs career charts – Cowan continues to move up the school’s all-time charts in several career categories. The junior forward is tied with Lenora Sundstrom (1999-2001) for second place in career 3-point goals made with 89, only 12 behind the record held by Bindy Comito (1999-2002). Cowan ranks third in steals (145), third in rebounds (536) and seventh in points (791).

Rams in the rankings – Cornell ranks second in the IIAC in turnover margin (5.42) and third in assist/turnover ratio (0.83). The Rams are committing an average of just 12.8 turnovers over their last eight games.

Wallace is tied for second in the league in steals (2.26 spg). West ranks fourth in 3-point percentage (41.7). Cowan is fifth in rebounds (7.2 rpg) and fifth in steals (2.11 spg). Duplessis stands seventh in scoring (13.5 ppg).