NO. 11 CORNELL 73, CARROLL 52

Eleventh-ranked Cornell opened its quest for a Midwest Conference basketball championship and an NCAA tournament berth with a 73-52 victory over Carroll Friday night in women’s basketball at Small Multi-Sport Center.

The Rams, who improved to 23-1 overall, play Monmouth at 3 p.m. Saturday on their home court with that NCAA tourney berth on the line. Monmouth (20-4), which defeated St. Norbert Friday night, 66-48, handed Cornell its only loss of the season, 47-44, last month at De Pere, Wis.

Chelsea Harris led Cornell scorers last night with 16 points. Camille Marie added 14 and Taylor Dicus 13.

Cornell, which led 41-22 at halftime, held Carroll to 24.3-percent shooting.

The Rams, who are in their first season back in the Midwest Conference, have never played in an NCAA tournament.

MOUNT MERCY 76, VITERBO 53

Fourth-seeded Mount Mercy won its Midwest Collegiate Conference tournament quarterfinal at home in Cedar Rapids and advanced to play top-seeded Grand View in the semifinals at 3 p.m. Sunday in Des Moines.

The Mustangs (9-20) got a 24-point performance from Amanda Frost on 9 of 14 shooting from the field and 6 of 6 from the foul line. Brooke Quigley added 19 points, Paige Last 12.