GALESBURG, Illinois – St. Norbert College went on a 12-1 run to close out the first half and extended the lead from there in a 106-74 Midwest Conference win over the Prairie Fire on Saturday at Memorial Gym.
The teams traded the lead several times, with neither gaining more than a three point advantage, before junior
Jasmine Binion (Davenport, IA, Assumption) buried a 3-point shot that put Knox in front 30-25 at the 7:15 mark.
The Green Knights (19-3, 16-1 MWC) forced the 10th tie at 31-all, but it lasted only eight seconds as junior
Jamie Blue (Urbana, IL, University) hit a 3-pointer that gave the Prairie Fire a slim 34-31 edge with 4:06 left.
St. Norbert took control from there by scoring seven unanswered points to regain the lead for good. Knox (9-12, 7-9 MWC) snapped the run briefly on a free throw by senior
Jodi Marver (Northbrook, IL, Glenbrook North) that cut the deficit to 38-35, but five straight points in the final minute by the Green Knights stretched the lead to 43-35 at halftime.
St. Norbert twice built the lead to 10 in the first minute of the second half. Knox countered with 3-point baskets by senior
Becky Duffy (Chicago, IL, Northside Prep) and junior
Saundra Gavazzi (Gilbert, AZ, Chandler) to keep it a seven point game.
The Prairie Fire again fought off a double-digit deficit on two free throws by sophomore
Aly Eastman (Kewanee, IL, Wethersfield) that closed the gap to 54-45 with about 16:00 to play.
The Green Knights blew the game open with a 17-0 run that pushed the lead to 26 less than five minutes later.
The Prairie Fire trailed by as many as 39 points.
St. Norbert shot 67 percent in the second half and finished at 56 percent (39-of-70) while knocking down 28-of-40 from the free throw line.
Knox connected on 31 percent (20-65) from the floor, including 11 buckets from 3-point distance, and hit 23-of-32 foul shots.
Marver sank 11-of-14 free throws and led the Prairie Fire in scoring with 14 points.
Knox resumes play on Wednesday at Grinnell College. The game tips off at 5:30 p.m.
