Athletics - Women's Basketball

Coming up — Sunday, Nov. 25, at UW-Whitewater, Whitewater, Wis., 3 p.m.; Wednesday, Nov. 28, at Luther, Decorah, 6 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 30, Elmhurst, Small Multi-Sport Center, Mount Vernon, 7 p.m.

Ram review – Cornell battled back from an 11-point halftime deficit, but a valiant second-half rally came up just short in a 70-67 loss to Monmouth in the season opener Nov. 17 at the Small Multi-Sport Center in Mount Vernon. The Scots escaped Cornell by the same margin (68-65) in last year’s opener in Monmouth, Ill.

The Rams (0-1) trailed 35-24 at halftime before roaring back with a 19-2 spurt to start the second half. Charlotte Milas (Arlington Heights, Ill./ Rolling Meadows) capped the run with a jumper that gave Cornell a 43-37 lead with 15 minutes, 34 seconds left in regulation. The game was tied at 64-64 with less than two minutes to play when Monmouth (1-0) pulled ahead to stay. Cornell’s Brianna Wallace (Eldridge/North Scott) had a potential game-tying 3-point attempt fall off the mark as time expired.

“I thought we played with a lot of energy and intensity, however, that is the foundation of our program and is expected,” third-year head coach Brent Brase said. “We struggled when we had to defend in the half court and when we had to create offense in the half court against a set defense. Our discipline needs to be better in all areas and our offensive roles more clearly defined. This can all be improved provided that we continue the belief in each other and bring a high energy level.”

Cornell freshman guard Melanie Duplessis (Lindenhurst, Ill./Warren Township) chalked up a game-high 16 points with five rebounds, two blocks, two steals and two assists in her first collegiate game. Tiffany Cowan (Independence, Mo./Truman) totaled 12 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Alicia West (Plymouth, Wis./ Plymouth) chipped in 12 points and six rebounds. The Rams shuffled 11 players into the game, nine of which played at least 14 minutes.

Cornell’s full-court pressure hurried the Scots into 32 turnovers, 16 in each half. The Rams held a 42-38 edge on the boards. Cornell attempted 31 more field goals than the Scots, but was held to 31.6 percent shooting (24-76). The Scots shot 51.1 percent (23-45) from the floor.

The Rams are idle until Nov. 25 when they visit nationally-ranked UW-Whitewater in Whitewater, Wis. UW-Whitewater, ranked 18th in the D3hoops.com Top 25 Poll, rolled to a 92-48 victory over 13th-ranked Millikin in its season opener.

“We are excited to take on a nationally-ranked program such as UW-Whitewater,” Brase said.