Box Score
Galesburg, IL -A big offensive surge in the second half lifted the Prairie Fire past Carroll University 83-78 in Midwest Conference play Saturday at Memorial Gymnasium.
Knox (1-4, 1-1 MWC) snapped a four-game losing streak with the win and handed the Pioneers (1-6, 0-2 MWC) -- who were picked to finish fourth in the 2011-12 MWC Preseason Coaches' Poll -- their fourth straight loss.
The Fire's last victory against CU was during the 2009-10 season. Knox won 72-66 on January 22, 2010 at Memorial Gym.
Carroll controlled the game early, taking a 14-3 lead with 16:36 remaining in the first half. The Prairie Fire responded with an 11-2 run to cut the deficit to 16-14 at the 12:12 mark before the Pioneers reclaimed an 11-point advantage, 26-15, with 9:26 to go in the half.
Knox answered back and closed to within 31-30 with 4:34 to play. Carroll ended the half by scoring 10 of the next 13 points for a 41-33 lead at the intermission.
The Pioneers shot 44 percent in the first half, but left the door open by knocking down only 6-of-12 free throws. The Prairie Fire connected on just 27 percent from the floor, including 2-of-10 shots from 3-point range, but stayed close by hitting 11 free throws.
Carroll extended its lead to 8 at 44-36 about 2:30 into the second half. Knox scored the next seven points and trailed 44-43 with 15:14 remaining.
The Pioneers made a pair of free throws and a jumper to hold a 48-44 advantage when the Prairie Fire went on a run that would ultimately decide the game.
Knox outscored Carroll 14-0 over a four minute span to put the Pioneers in a 58-48 hole at the 9:28 mark of the game. The Prairie Fire took its biggest lead at 63-50 with 8:23 to play on a 3-point basket by senior Steph Nunez (Mokena, IL, Lincoln-Way East).
The Pioneers refused to go away and trailed by only five points, 64-59, with 5:57 remaining. Two free throws and a 3-point basket in a span of only :22 put the Fire back up by 10 at 69-59.
Carroll cut the Knox lead to four at 76-72 with 1:15 left in the game, but the Prairie Fire made 7-of-8 free throws down the stretch to earn the win.
Knox held the Pioneers to 33 percent shooting in the second half and 39 percent overall. The Fire made 41 percent of its second half shots, including 6-of-14 from 3-point range, while sinking 20-of-28 free throws. The hosts finished 31-of-47 from the free throw line while Carroll was 19-of-32.
First-year guard Becky Duffy (Chicago, IL, Northside Prep) led three Knox players in double-figure scoring with 14 points. Nunez, who drained three shots from long distance, added 11 for the second straight game and junior Sara Johnson (Grinnell, Iowa, Grinnell) had 10.
Janelle Groer scored a game-high 18 points for the Pioneers and Breann Maryanski had a double-double with 15 points and 18 rebounds.
The Prairie Fire resumes play Wednesday night at home against Grinnell College (2-4, 1-1 MWC). The tip-off is scheduled at 7:00.
Grinnell split its first two Midwest Conference games at home. The Pioneers lost to St. Norbert College 58-48 on Friday, then beat Ripon College 50-45 on Saturday.
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