MOUNT VERNON, Iowa—The Prairie Fire women's basketball team dropped a close game to conference leader Cornell on Saturday.

Knox (12-7, 9-5 MWC) kept pace with the Rams through halftime, but Cornell stretched their lead to 11 by the end of the third quarter. The Prairie Fire would not go down easy, battling back to within three points late in the game. The Rams went a perfect 10-for-10 from the line to seal the game in the closing minutes.

Hailey Leinart (Gurnee, IL, Warren Township) nailed seven three-pointers for the second time this season, again tying the school record, to put up a team-high 23 points. Karlie Thorn (Henderson, NV, Coronado) also hit four treys to add 21 points for the Prairie Fire. Jarrelyn McCall (Lonoke, AR, Lonoke) scored 14 points and dished out six assists. Morgan Potter (Huntington Beach, CA, Huntington Beach) poured in nine points and grabbed eight rebounds.

Knox will travel to Grinnell on February 8 in an attempt to remain in the fourth spot in the conference.