Box Score

GALESBURG, Illinois – The Prairie Fire fell behind midway through the first half and couldn't recover in a 86-67 loss to Webster University at Memorial Gym on Sunday.

Knox (0-2) committed 20 turnovers and shot 36 percent (8-of-22) in the opening half and trailed the Gorloks 40-23 at the break.

Webster (1-1) went on a 10-0 run to take its first double-figure lead of the game, 21-11, with 10:37 remaining in the first half.  The Prairie Fire closed the gap to six, 23-17, on a jumper by sophomore Deandre Weathersby (Chicago, IL, Kenwood Academy) a little over two minutes later, but the Gorloks followed with a 14-3 surge for a 37-20 advantage with 2:07 left in the first half.

Webster led by as many as 28 points with 13:35 to play.  The Prairie Fire closed within 70-53 on a bucket by sophomore Mike Martin (Metamora, IL, Metamora) with a little over six minutes remaining in the contest.

Knox connected on 51 percent (16-of-31) from the floor in the second half, including 6-of-12 from 3-point range, and finished at 45 percent overall.  The Gorloks shot 68 percent (19-of-28) after halftime and 55 percent for the game.  Webster outscored the Prairie Fire 17-9 from the foul line and forced 26 turnovers while committing 15.

Senior Mitch Murphy (Bushnell, IL, Bushnell-Prairie City) and first-year player Orlando Brown (Chicago, IL, Hinsdale South) scored 12 points apiece to lead Knox in scoring.  First-year Caylab Herrara (Middletown, DE, Middletown) also reached double-figures with 11 points.  Martin grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds for the Prairie Fire.

Knox welcomes Carroll University to Memorial Gym on Wednesday for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off as both teams begin Midwest Conference play.  The Pioneers split their first two games of the season, both of them at home.