Galesburg, IL – The Prairie Fire fell behind Carroll University by double-figures in the second half and couldn’t complete the comeback in an 89-77 Midwest Conference loss on Saturday at Memorial Gym.

Following a first half that featured seven ties and 10 lead changes, Carroll (7-5, 6-3 MWC) built its first double-figure lead at 61-51, part of an 11-2 run, with 10:27 to play in the game after Knox cut a seven point deficit (50-43) to 50-49 at the 13:40 mark. 

The Pioneers, winners of three straight, put the game out of reach with an 11-4 spurt that extended their advantage from 68-63 (7:02) to 79-67 with 4:22 remaining. 

The Prairie Fire (5-9, 3-6 MWC) managed to get within nine points, 82-73 with 2:01 to play, but Carroll's defense surrendered just four points the rest of the way.

The Pioneers made 55% of their shots in the second half in outscoring Knox 51-41 and shot 50% overall.  Carroll was also 21-for-30 (70%) at the free throw line and forced 30 Prairie Fire turnovers while committing 27.

Knox connected on 33% from the floor in the first half and 1-of-17 from 3-point range.  The Fire improved to 37% shooting in the second half and finished the game at 35%, including 4-of-27 (15%) from behind the 3-point line.  Following a 7-for-13 (54%) performance from the foul line in the opening half, Knox was 12-for-16 (75%) from the stripe in the second half and ended the game 19-for-29 (65.5%).

First-year Alycia Webster (Allen Park, MI, Melvindale) matched her career-high with 17 points to go along with eight rebounds for the Prairie Fire.  Sophomore Jodi Marver (Northbrook, IL, Glenbrook North) added 15 points and sophomore Becky Duffy (Chicago, IL, Northside Prep) scored 10 points and pulled down a season-best nine rebounds.

Malory Christenson scored 22 of her game-high 28 points in the first half.  She also had eight rebounds and four steals.

Knox resumes Midwest Conference play on January 29 at home against Lawrence University at 1:00 p.m.  The Prairie Fire goes for the season sweep against the Vikings (1-12, 0-8 MWC), who have dropped seven straight games, after a 90-79 victory in Appleton, Wisconsin on December 1.

The game will be streamed live on the Web beginning at 12:50 p.m. at http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/knox.portal#

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