Box Score
GALESBURG, Illinois – Grinnell College ran off 17 straight points during a two minute stretch in the second half to surge past the Prairie Fire 111-91 in Midwest Conference play on Tuesday at Memorial Gym.

Knox stayed with the Pioneers through the first half despite trailing by as many as 16 points at the 5:30 mark. Grinnell took its first double-figure lead at 38-26 with 8:13 remaining and built the advantage to 48-32.

The Prairie Fire (4-9, 2-6 MWC) answered with a big run of their own, outscoring the Pioneers 16-2 in less than three minutes.  Sophomore Deandre Weathersby (Chicago, IL, Kenwood Academy), who scored seven points during the run, sank two free throws to trim the deficit to 50-48 with 2:50 left.

Grinnell (7-5, 5-3 MWC) hit a 3-pointer on the next possession and maintained a five point lead, 58-53, at halftime.

Knox shot 71 percent in the first half, but the Pioneers offset the hot shooting by knocking down 13 shots from 3-point range and forcing 18 turnovers that led to 22 points.

The game turned following an offensive rebound and basket by senior Dillon Eighner (Hoopeston, IL, Hoopeston) that kept the Prairie Fire within reach at 73-66 with 14:00 to go.

The Pioneers drilled four 3-point baskets during a 17-0 run to open up a 90-66 lead with 12:20 left in the game.

Knox couldn't get any closer than 17 points the rest of the way.

Grinnell finished with 21 3-pointers and forced 33 turnovers.  The Prairie Fire shot 66 percent overall, but the Pioneers held a 40-12 advantage in points off turnovers and scored 14 more second chance points.

Weathersby and first-year Orlando Brown (Chicago, IL, Hinsdale South) scored 16 points each to lead Knox in scoring.  Weathersby also dished out six assists.  Sophomore Robert Suntken (Naperville, IL, Naperville Central) and first-year DJ Lewis (Chino Hills, CA, Chino Hills) added 10 points apiece for the Prairie Fire.  Sophomore Mike Martin (Metamora, IL, Metamora) grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.

Knox has another tough test with a game at nationally ranked St. Norbert College (12-1, 8-0 MWC) on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.