Box Score
Galesburg, IL – The Prairie Fire struggled to make shots in a 77-66 non-conference loss to Rockford College on Wednesday night at Memorial Gym.
Knox (4-7) had won its last two games, both at the Daytona Beach Shootout before Christmas, and three of the last four -- all by double-figures. However, the Regents (3-10) never trailed after going on an 11-0 run to break a 6-6 tie for a 17-6 lead with 11:15 to play in the first half.
Rockford increased its advantage to 21-9 about two minutes later. The Prairie Fire fought back and cut the deficit in half to 25-19 on a basket inside by junior Grace Theisen (Minneapolis, MN, Southwest) at the 4:06 mark. The Regents followed with a 10-4 run to regain a 12 point lead at 35-23 with 27 seconds left in the half before the Fire closed with four straight points by sophomore Jodi Marver (Northbrook, IL, Glenbrook North) to get within 35-27 at the intermission.
Shooting woes hurt Knox in the first half as the Prairie Fire connected on 9-of-52 (17%) attempts and missed 11-of-14 free throws. Rockford shot 17-of-39 (44%), including a three-point basket, and missed a pair of free throws. Knox was able to stay within striking distance by forcing the Regents into 22 turnovers in the opening half while committing only nine.
Rockford increased its advantage to 49-36 four-and-a-half minutes into the second half. Knox refused to go away and closed the gap to 51-48 when senior Sara Johnson (Grinnell, Iowa, Grinnell) drilled a 3-pointer, part of a 12-2 spurt, with 12:20 remaining in the contest. The Regents scored six of the next seven points for a 57-49 advantage with 9:37 to play. The Prairie Fire again trimmed the deficit to three points at 58-55 less than two minutes later.
Rockford responded with a 15-5 run for a 73-60 lead at the 4:05 mark that Knox couldn't overcome.
The Prairie Fire finished the game shooting 20 percent (21-of-107), 10-of-55 from 3-point range, and made 14-of-29 free throws. Rockford shot 40 percent (32-of-81) overall and was 11-of-19 from the foul line.
Knox forced the Regents into 34 turnovers and held a 62-59 edge on the glass.
Sophomore Jessica Howard (Galesburg, IL, Galesburg) led four Prairie Fire players in double-figure scoring with 15 points. She also pulled down a season-best nine rebounds. Marver added 13 points, senior Kristin McDonald (Chicago, IL, Regina Dominican) had 11 along with eight rebounds and three steals, and junior Chantal Heckman (Chicago, IL, Latin) chipped in with 10 points. First-year Alycia Webster (Allen Park, MI, Melvindale) recorded a game-high 13 rebounds for Knox.
Rockford had two players finish with double-doubles. Lindsay Lengjak had 23 points and 12 rebounds and Erin Ryczek contributed 13 points and 10 boards.
The Prairie Fire, 2-4 in Midwest Conference games, resumes league play on Saturday at Ripon College (3-9, 2-5 MWC).
The Red Hawks have lost six straight games. The last win was 76-44 against Beloit College at home on December 4. The tip-off is scheduled at 3:00 p.m. following the men's game between Knox and Ripon (1:00 p.m. start time). Web streaming will be available at http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/ripon.portal#
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