Box Score

Monmouth College used a strong start to build a double digit first half lead that the Prairie Fire couldn't overcome in the Fighting Scots' 70-59 win Saturday at Memorial Gym.

The victory was the fifth straight for Monmouth (7-3, 5-1 MWC), which trails league leader St. Norbert College by just one game atop the Midwest Conference standings.  The Green Knights handed the Scots their only conference loss, 66-33, December 4 in DePere, Wisconsin.

The Prairie Fire (3-8, 2-4 MWC) began the game by scoring eight of the first 12 points.  Monmouth responded after trailing 10-9 with 15:17 to play in the first half by scoring seven straight points for a 16-10 lead at the 13:55 mark.  The Fire got within two (18-16) with 12:00 left in the half, but a 15-7 run gave the Scots a 33-23 advantage with 2:48 to play.  Knox chipped away to cut the deficit to 39-30 at the intermission.

Monmouth shot 50 percent (15-of-30) in the first half to the Prairie Fire's 40 percent (12-of-30).

The Scots took control in the second half with a 10-4 run and a 15 point lead (49-34) with 12:27 to play.  The Prairie Fire cut the lead to six, 56-50, at the 6:17 mark.  A 5-0 run by Monmouth that followed essentially put the game out of reach.

The Fighting Scots were led by Maddie Nieukirk's 23 points and 11 rebounds.  Justine Boone added 20 points and nine rebounds. 

Monmouth outrebounded Knox 39-19.  Both teams struggled to take care of the basketball.  The Prairie Fire committed 24 turnovers and the Scots had 21.  The Fire shot 20-of-55 (36 percent) overall while Monmouth was 25-of-55 (45.5 percent) in the game.

Senior Jenny Haskell (Murphys, California) continued her strong offensive play with 18 points for the hosts.  She also had four steals.  Junior Krystyna Williams (Evanston, Illinois) chipped in with 14 points, two steals and two blocks.

Knox plays Monmouth College again in the regular season finale at Glennie Gym February 19.

The Prairie Fire tries to snap a three-game losing streak Tuesday at Lake Forest College.  The game tips off at 5:30 p.m. 

The Foresters (4-5, 2-2 MWC) snapped a three-game skid of their own Saturday by winning at Illinois College 72-64.  Lake Forest is 2-2 on its home court.