Galesburg, IL – Buena Vista University used a late run to beat Knox College 79-67 Friday at Memorial Gym.

The Beavers (7-3) scored 15 of the game's final 18 points after a basket by Prairie Fire senior Krystyna Williams (Evanston, IL, Evanston Township) tied the score at 64-64.  The loss was the fourth straight for Knox.

Buena Vista had a 10 point lead at 30-20 with just under 5:00 to play in the first half.  The Prairie FIre (1-8) ended the half with a 9-4 surge to trim the deficit to 34-29 at intermission.

Knox scored the first seven points of the second half to take its first lead at 36-34.  The Fire responded with a 10-0 run after BVU led 40-38 at the 14:55 mark.  First-year guard Becky Duffy (Chicago, IL, Northside Prep) scored to put Knox up 48-40 with 13:11 to play.  

The Prairie Fire also led by eight at 50-42 on a pair of free throws by junior Sara Johnson (Grinnell, Iowa, Grinnell) about 2:00 later.  Knox's last lead was 54-53 with 8:44 left in the game.  Buena Vista never trailed after a 55-54 advantage at the 8:07 mark, which was part of a 14-0 surge that resulted in a 62-54 lead with 6:03 remaining.

The Prairie Fire tied the game at 62 and 64.  A 3-point basket by BVU's Brooke Wehle with 3:42 to go started the 15-3 run that put the game out of reach.

Knox shot 24 percent, including 8-of-42 from 3-point range.  The Beavers connected on 36 percent of their shots.

Williams and Johnson both scored 11 points to lead the Prairie Fire in scoring.  Jessica Christensen had a double-double for Buena Vista with 24 points and 14 rebounds.

Knox resumes play January 2 at Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois.  The game is scheduled to tip off at 6:00 p.m.

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