In the driver's seat just last week, the Fighting Scots have traded places with Ripon following Monmouth's 70-65 loss at Cornell and the Red Hawks' convincing win over Lake Forest Tuesday night, moving Ripon into first and the Scots second with a game to play.
 
Cornell jumped out to a quick 9-0 lead and never trailed on their home court despite Monmouth staying within striking distance until late in the first half and nearly completing the comeback in the final seconds. Tarae Warner canned a 3-pointer and Carley Turnbull scored two points on her way to a 22-point night in the final 2:06 of the first quarter to pull within five at 15-10 as the period wound down. The Rams caught fire midway through the second period and used an 18-8 run to open up a 37-21 halftime lead.
 
Monmouth chipped away in the second half, nearly erasing the deficit in the game's final four minutes. A Warner bucket-and-one with 3:52 to play pulled the Scots to 60-58 as Monmouth kept it a one possession game down the stretch. A Becca Gallis layup with 28 seconds left made it a 66-65 game before the Rams hit four straight free throws in the final 26 seconds to ice the game.
 
Tuesday's outcomes which included a Knox win over Illinois College set the Midwest Conference Tournament field with only the seeds yet to be decided. Cornell, the only qualifier with two games to play, will be at Lake Forest Thursday and Beloit Saturday. Ripon will host Knox needing a win to clinch the MWC title. The Scots travel to St. Norbert and would need a win coupled with a Ripon loss to take their first regular season crown in program history. While the Scots and Red Hawks are battling for first, the Rams and Prairie Fire are vying for the third seed.
 
Monmouth will tip off against the Green Knights Saturday at 3p.m.