Box Score

Galesburg, IL - The Prairie Fire bounced back after a tough stretch during the first half but came up short 70-61 against Central College Monday night in the first game of the 2011-12 season at Memorial Gymnasium.

The Dutch, playing its third straight Midwest Conference opponent, took its biggest lead of the game at 24-8 with 5:26 to play in the first half. 

Central beat Grinnell College 62-49 and lost to Monmouth College 72-69 in OT prior to the contest at KnoxThe Prairie Fire (0-3), despite shooting 18 percent, ended the half strong by going on a 15-4 run to close the deficit to 28-23 at the intermission.  Knox helped itself out at the free throw line, making 13-of-16 compared to just 1-of-2 for Central (3-1).

The Dutch scored the first four points of the second half for a 32-23 advantage.  The Fire answered with a 14-4 surge to take the lead for the first time at 37-36 with 14:12 to play in the game.

Central built its lead back to five at 49-44 with 9:56 to play.  Knox followed by scoring eight of the next 10 points to go on top 52-51 at the 7:44 mark of the contest.

The Dutch outscored the Prairie Fire 19-9 the rest of the way to earn the victory.

Knox shot 28 percent in the game, including 3-for-27 from 3-point range.  The Fire defense was solid, holding Central to 37 percent shooting and forcing 30 turnovers. 

Knox turned the ball over 25 times and was outrebounded 53-31.

Senior Krystyna Williams (Evanston, IL, Evanston Township) led the Fire with 12 points and eight rebounds.  Junior Sara Johnson (Grinnell, Iowa, Grinnell) and first-year guard Jodi Marver (Northbrook, IL, Glenbrook North) added nine points apiece.

Knox begins Midwest Conference play Friday at home against Ripon College (0-3).  The tip-off is at 5:00 p.m.

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