Box Score
Knox Sports Information & Nathan Beebe

GALESBURG, Illinois – The Prairie Fire got off to a good start but couldn't maintain the lead in a 90-75 Midwest Conference loss to Lake Forest College on Saturday at Memorial Gym.

Knox opened with back-to-back 3-point baskets by sophomores Robert Suntken (Naperville, IL, Naperville Central) and Deandre Weathersby (Chicago, IL, Kenwood Academy) and held the lead for the first four minutes.  However, Lake Forest went on an 8-0 run over a nearly three minute stretch to pull ahead 17-10.

After trailing by nine with 11:13 left in the half, the Prairie Fire put together a 9-4 surge, capped by a pair of free throws from Suntken, to trim the deficit to 26-22 at the 7:40 mark.

The Foresters (2-4, 2-3 MWC) hit a 3-pointer, the first of four straight baskets scored between the teams, for a 31-26 edge with just under five minutes remaining.

Lake Forest scored seven unanswered points over the next minute to extend the lead to 12.  A basket by first-year Caylab Herrara (Middletown, DE, Middletown) helped Knox get within nine, 45-36, at halftime.

The Foresters led by 10 a little over a minute into the second half when the Prairie Fire (1-6, 0-3 MWC) made another run and pulled within six at 53-47 on two Suntken free throws with 17:29 to play.

Lake Forest ran off eight straight points over the next three minutes to build the lead to 14, and then took their biggest of the game – 68-50 – with 12:05 remaining.

The Prairie Fire were unable to get any closer than nine the rest of the game.

Knox coach Kevin Walden said Lake Forest's experience allowed them to execute on both ends of the floor and withstand the runs made by the Prairie Fire.

Lake Forest shot a blistering 59 percent overall, made 18-of-28 free throws, and outrebounded Knox 34-23.  That led to a 16-5 edge in second chance points for the Foresters.

The Prairie Fire shot a very respectable 46 percent from the floor and canned 24-of-36 free throws.

Suntken led Knox with 18 points and Herrara had 14.  Sophomore Mike Martin (Metamora, IL, Metamora) added nine points and seven rebounds while senior Dillon Eighner (Hoopeston, IL, Hoopeston) scored nine as well.

The Prairie Fire will face Illinois College at home on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. looking to end a three-game slide.  The Blueboys (1-4, 0-2 MWC) are off to a tough start after losing all five starters from last season.

Lawrence University hit 14 3-point baskets and defeated IC 89-57 on Saturday in Jacksonville – the Blueboys' fourth straight loss.