GALESBURG – The Knox College women gave nationally ranked and Midwest Conference-leading Ripon all it could handle on Saturday afternoon in Galesburg, but in the end, the Red Hawks made enough plays to hold on for the win and stay unbeaten in league play.

The loss drops the Prairie Fire to 12-11 overall, 10-4 in league play and into third place.

Knox threw an early surprise party against Ripon, jumping out to an 8-0 lead in the game's 2:30. Ripon battled back, but the Prairie Fire held a one-point lead, 21-20, at the end of the first quarter.

During the middle portion, Ripon struck back, outscoring Knox 40-30 during the second and third quarters to take a 60-51 lead into the fourth.

In the final period, the Prairie Fire refused to fade, cutting what was once a 13-point lead to a four-point deficit with a minute left. Unfortunately for Knox, the squad ran out of time, seeing the upset bid and five-game win streak come to an end.

Bria Medina led Knox, scoring 30 points while adding six rebounds and seven assists. Izzy Robinson was next in the scoring, adding 15 points, while Kylee Callahan scored 11.

The Prairie Fire close out the final week of the regular season visiting Grinnell and Lawrence before heading to the conference tournament on February 27 at Ripon.