Galesburg, IL – The Prairie Fire had a record-breaking offensive performance in a 114-100 come-from-behind win against Beloit College on Saturday at Memorial Gym.

The win was the second straight for Knox (4-12, 4-7 MWC), and third in the last four games.  The Prairie Fire swept the season series with the Buccaneers (4-11, 1-9 MWC) after winning 102-82 on January 13 in Beloit.

The 102 points scored tied the team record for points in a game, matching the 102 Knox put up in overtime against Aurora during the 1991-92 season.  The Prairie Fire’s 114 points set a new all-time Knox women's basketball mark. 

The Prairie Fire also set new team records with 38 made free throws and 49 attempts, besting the previous highs of 29 makes in 1990 against Monmouth College and 47 attempts against Cornell in 1989.

The Prairie Fire and the Buccaneers were locked in a close game midway through the first half.  Beloit tied the game for the fifth time at 16-16 at the 11:35 mark.  The Bucs followed with a 17-4 run for a 33-20 lead with 7:50 to play in the half.

Knox cut the deficit to eight at 37-29 about 1:30 later.  Beloit scored 11 of the next 13 points to take its biggest lead of the game at 48-31 with just under 4:00 remaining.

The Prairie Fire whittled the Buccaneer lead to 55-44 at the break.

Beloit shot 54 percent in the first half to 24 percent for Knox.  The Prairie Fire hung around by making 18-of-19 free throws.

Knox opened the second half with an 11-2 run to get within 57-55 with 17:12 to play.  The Prairie Fire tied the game at 65-65 at the 13:55 mark.  Beloit rolled off five straight points over the next :38 seconds for a 70-65 lead.  Knox responded with a 7-0 spurt to grab the lead at 72-70 with 12:21 remaining.

The teams were tied at 72-72 and 77-77 before the Prairie Fire took control.

A 14-2 run gave Knox a 91-79 lead with 7:37 to play.  Beloit closed the gap to six at 99-93 with 4:04 to go and 104-98 with 2:48 left in the game, but couldn’t get any closer.

The Prairie Fire shot 45 percent in the second half and 35 percent overall, including 8-of-34 (23.5 percent) from 3-point range, but benefitted from 46 turnovers by the Bucs that resulted in 46 points.

Beloit hit on 41 percent from the floor in the second half and 48 percent in the game.  The Bucs also made 30-of-43 free throws and outrebounded the Fire 58-40. 

Senior Krystyna Williams (Evanston, IL, Evanston Township) scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds for Knox.  Juniors Kristin McDonald (Chicago, IL, Regina Dominican) and Sara Johnson (Grinnell, Iowa, Grinnell) added 15 points apiece.  Senior Abby Owens (Grinnell, IA, Grinnell) (13), and sophomore Chantal Heckman (Chicago, IL, Latin) (11) also scored in double-figures for the Prairie Fire.

Beloit had two players post double-doubles.  Claire Bush had 25 points and 11 rebounds and Faith Jones scored 13 points and grabbed 14 boards.  Lauren McNanna added 23 points and Kandace Fox had 10.

Knox plays its next four games on the road, beginning with the first meeting of the season against Illinois College on January 28.

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