JACKSONVILLE, Illinois—The Prairie Fire women's basketball team claimed a 59-56 victory at Illinois College on Tuesday night to clinch a spot in the conference tournament on February 28 and 29.
 
The Lady Blues took an early 8-4 lead in the first quarter, but Knox responded with a 9-4 run to take a one point lead. After some back and forth, Illinois College held a slight 16-15 advantage heading into the second quarter.
 
After some more back and forth in the early portion of the second period, the Lady Blues took a 30-21 lead with 3:54 left in the half. The Prairie Fire stormed back to just a 30-28 deficit at halftime.
 
Illinois College maintained a slight lead throughout the entire third period, but Knox never let the deficit get past five points.
 
The Prairie Fire finally tied the game up at 46-all with 8:14 to play, but the Lady Blues quickly jumped back out to a five point lead. Knox clawed back into the game and took a 54-53 lead with 58 seconds left when Jarrelyn McCall hit a short jumper. She converted a three-point play to give the Prairie Fire a two-point cushion. Kyra Huffman blocked shot on the ensuing possession and then hit a pair of free throws to give Knox a two possession lead.
 
Illinois College hit a three-pointer with eight seconds to play, but had to waste time with three consecutive fouls to put Saxon Alvarez at the line. She made both and this time McCall blocked the three-point attempt from the Lady Blues at the buzzer.
 
Huffman led the Prairie Fire with 17 points and 10 rebounds to pick up her third straight double-double. McCall finished with 15 points and nine boards. Knox shot 85 percent from the charity stripe and were especially lethal down the stretch.
 
"This was a big win for us," said head coach Emily Cline. "Kyra and Jarrelyn continue to lead us on both ends of the floor. They really stepped up down the stretch tonight."
 
Knox will travel to Ripon on February 22 to play the final game of the regular season.