Box Score

Galesburg, Ill. – The Prairie Fire surrendered a double-digit lead against Lawrence University and suffered a 93-92 Midwest Conference loss on Saturday at Memorial Gym.

Knox, up 36-34 at the 3:32 mark, closed the first half on an 18-2 run – which included 3-point baskets by junior Jessica Howard (Galesburg, IL, Galesburg) on back-to-back possessions – to stretch the advantage to 54-36 at the break.

The Prairie Fire (1-7, 0-4 MWC) outscored the Vikings 15-0 from 3-point range and shot a perfect 11-of-11 from the free throw line over the first 20 minutes.  Lawrence connected on 38.5 percent from the field and committed 18 turnovers in the first half.

The Vikings (3-3, 1-2 MWC) cut the Knox lead to 12 (54-42) a little over one minute into the second half.  Knox responded, reclaiming an 18 point cushion twice – the last time at 68-50 on two free throws by junior Jodi Marver (Northbrook, IL, Glenbrook North) with 13:00 to go.

Lawrence whittled the deficit to single digits, 83-74, with 6:32 remaining.

The Prairie Fire appeared to be in control after scoring three straight points on a free throw by Howard and a basket by first-year Molly Lascelles (Ipava, IL, VIT) to build the lead back to 12 at 86-74 a minute later.

A three-point play, followed by two straight baskets by the Vikings sliced the Knox advantage to 86-81 with 4:37 left.

Senior Chantal Heckman (Chicago, IL, Latin) sank two free throws on the next Prairie Fire possession to push the lead back up to seven at 88-81.

Lawrence, however, used a 9-2 surge to tie the game at 90 with 1:14 to play.

Marver hit a jumper with 1:05 in regulation to give the Fire a 92-90 lead.

Knox did not score again while the Vikings made three free throws down the stretch, including the game-winner with 1.6 seconds on the clock, to pull out the victory.

Lawrence shot 61 percent in the second half as the Prairie Fire fell off to 26 percent.  Knox forced 36 turnovers by the Vikings that led to 35 points.  Lawrence held a big edge on the glass, outrebounding Knox 58-35.

Marver led four Prairie Fire players in double-figure scoring with 22 points.  Heckman added 16, Howard 13, and sophomore Jamie Blue (Urbana, IL, University) had 12.

Knox plays next at Beloit College (2-5, 2-2 MWC) on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

Follow Prairie Fire athletics on Twitter and Facebook