Box Score GALESBURG, Illinois – The Prairie Fire built a big lead in the first half and defeated Carroll University 108-100 in the Midwest Conference opener for both teams Wednesday night at Memorial Gym.
Knox handed Carroll its first loss of the season and ended a five-game skid against the Pioneers that dated back to the 2011-12 season. The win is also the Prairie Fire's first to begin Midwest Conference play since the 2009-10 campaign.
The Prairie Fire (1-1, 1-0 MWC), after trailing 15-12 with 14:24 left in the first half, took their first double-digit lead at 33-22 on a basket by first-year
Erin Orr (Chicago, IL, Oak Park-River Forest) about seven minutes later. The Pioneers sliced the deficit to 35-31 at the 6:53 mark, but a 3-point basket by senior
Jessica Howard (Galesburg, IL, Galesburg) fueled a 22-11 run that gave Knox a 13 point cushion, 55-42, before Carroll sank a pair of free throws to close out the half.
The Prairie Fire pushed the lead to 72-57 five minutes into the second half, but the Pioneers had another run in them and got as close as one, 95-94, with 2:45 to play.
A jumper by first-year
Naja Woods (Minneapolis, MN, Southwest) on the next possession gave Knox a three point lead. Senior
Jodi Marver (Northbrook, IL, Glenbrook North) followed with a bucket and hit six straight free throws to extend the Prairie Fire advantage to 105-97 with 1:14 remaining. Carroll (2-1, 0-1 MWC) got the ball back and hit a 3-point shot to make it a two possession game before a basket by Woods and a free throw by Howard sealed the win for Knox.
The Prairie Fire shot lights out in the game, knocking down 50 percent (34-of-68) overall while outscoring Carroll 33-25 from the foul line. Knox held a 48-46 edge on the glass and forced 33 turnovers that led to 43 points.
Orr made 11-of-13 shots and led the Prairie Fire with 22 points and seven rebounds. Marver, who sank 14-of-15 free throws, added 21, Woods scored 17, Howard had 12, and junior
Jamie Blue (Urbana, IL, University) also reached double-figures with 10 points.
Knox is back in action at home on Tuesday against Rockford University. The game is scheduled to tip off at 5:30 p.m.
