Women's Basketball News Releases
Rams score 55 second-half points in 82-80 win over Central
Ram review - Cornell wrapped up the 2008-09 season in impressive fashion, erupting for 55 second-half points in an 82-80 Iowa Conference victory Wednesday night at the Small Multi-Sport Center in Mount Vernon.
The Rams established a season-high for points in a game and had three players post double-doubles. Cornell overcame an 11-point deficit in the second half, sinking 15 of 31 field goals and 21 of 25 free throws in the final 20 minutes.
Cornell won two of its last three games and finished the campaign 7-17 overall, 2-14 in the IIAC.
"The Central game was a very positive note for the team to end on," Cornell head coach Brent Brase said. "We really improved as the season went along, which says a lot about the foundation we have established. The upperclassmen did a great job of bringing the freshmen along and by the last six weeks of the season we were a pretty tough out.
"The team says it wants to continue to improve, and if this is to be the case, their actions in the offseason will be much greater than words."
Junior Kristin Paczosa (Arlington Heights, Ill./Buffalo Grove) registered a career-high 21 points with 12 rebounds while shooting 9-of-14 from the field. Senior Tiffany Cowan, a four-year starter playing in her final collegiate game, finished with 18 points and 10 boards in only 21 minutes due to foul trouble. Freshman Teresa Cecchetti (Dixon, Ill./Dixon) also had a big night with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Charlotte Milas (Arlington Heights, Ill./Rolling Meadows) was the fourth Ram to score in double figures with 11 points. Morgan Woods (Milwaukee, Wis./University School of Milwaukee) and Caitlyn Book (Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata) chipped in nine points apiece with Woods adding four assists.
The Rams trailed 38-27 at halftime, but quickly climbed back into the game with a 14-3 spurt to start the second half. Cornell took a 73-67 lead on a Paczosa layup with 1 minute, 10 seconds remaining. The Rams then held off a late Central charge, scoring their final nine points from the foul line. Paczosa totaled 15 points and 10 rebounds in the second half alone.
Cornell connected on 7 of 20 shots from 3-point range and held a 49-37 advantage on the boards. The Rams shot 85.2 percent (23 of 27) from the foul line.
Cowan's career - Cowan, the lone senior on Cornell's roster, leaves the program as one of the most accomplished players in school history. She made 82 starts in 95 career games.
Cowan is Cornell's record holder for 3-point goals made in a career (143) and a season (53, 2008-09). She ranks second in career points (1,122), only 67 behind all-time scoring leader Lisa Fry (1998-2002). Cowan finished second on Cornell's career list for steals (189) and free throw percentage (80.5) and third in rebounds (694) and points per game (11.8).
Cowan recorded 15 career double-doubles, including five this season. She led the Rams this season in field goals made (112), 3-point goals made (53), steals (44) and points per game (13.4).
Rams in the rankings - Cornell finished second in the IIAC in field goal percentage defense (38.7) and ranked third in scoring defense (63.6 ppg) and blocked shots (3.67 bpg).
Paczosa claimed the league's rebounding title with 8.7 boards per game. Her 209 rebounds rank fifth on Cornell's single-season chart. Paczosa also averaged an IIAC-best 4.9 defensive rebounds per game.
Cowan ranked second in the league in defensive rebounds (4.9 rpg), fourth in total rebounds (6.4 rpg) and fifth in 3-point goals made per game (2.21). Cecchetti was third in defensive rebounds (4.5 rpg).
