RIPON, Wisconsin - The Prairie Fire women's basketball team defeated Ripon 78-71 on Saturday. The Red Hawks were previously unbeaten in the Midwest Conference this season.

The teams went back and forth early in the first quarter, but Ripon pulled away 22-14 late in the period.

Knox battled back to just a 24-21 deficit early in the second quarter, but the Red Hawks went on a 14-8 run to earn a 38-29 lead at halftime.

Coming out of the break, the Prairie Fire scored the first four points of the third period and tied the game at 44-44 about midway through the quarter. Knox held a slight 55-53 advantage heading into the final period.

Ripon took a 62-60 lead early in the fourth quarter, but the Prairie Fire took the lead for good with 4:46 to play. Knox held off the Red Hawks in the final minutes as Sarina Dacio knocked down her last four free throws.

Dacio led Knox with 20 points, including hitting eight free throws. Kylee Callahan and Bria Medina added 17 points apiece. Nyah Daniels tallied 13 points and Loraya Rocha grabbed 10 rebounds.

"We played very well in the second half," said head coach Seth McDowell. "This is a win that we really needed and we put up a gritty performance to stage a comeback on the road against a tough and balanced Ripon squad."

The Prairie Fire will return to action as they host rival Monmouth on February 6.