Lake Forest College sophomore guard Kelsey Schmitt matched her career-high with 17 points but the Forester women's basketball team was outscored 20-4 in the fourth quarter and fell 63-44 at Cornell College on Saturday.
Schmitt scored six points in the second quarter and seven in the third as the Foresters outscored the home team in each period. The fourth quarter began with the visitors trailing 43-40 and they were still within nine points after a basket by senoir forward K.C. Stralka with 6:05 to play. The Foresters did not score again, however, as the Cornell defense stiffened. The home team shot 9-for-12 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter to help secure the victory.
Stralka was the only other Forester to score in doubles figures, finishing with a dozen points. Junior forward Brittany Avonts led Lake Forest with 11 rebounds and freshman guard Taylor Farrell with five assists.
Lake Forest shot just 28.3 percent from the field, the team's lowest mark of the season. The Foresters also made just five of 21 attempts from three-point range and five of 11 free throws. The Rams shot 33.9 percent from the floor, out-rebounded the visitors 46-41, and committed just 10 of the game's 28 turnovers.
Te Foresters are now 8-7 overall this season and 7-4 in Midwest Conference play. Cornell improved to 12-4 overall and 9-2 in the league.
Lake Forest will host Lawrence University Tuesday night at 7:00.