GRINNELL, IOWA – The Knox College men put up a good fight on Wednesday night, but it was not enough to keep up with Midwest Conference co-leader Grinnell. The Prairie Fire kept the game close, but ultimately fell to the Pioneers, 108-98.

Grinnell opened the game hot, taking an 18-0 lead in the first four minutes. But Knox refused to go away, battling all the way back to cut the deficit to six points at halftime, 56-50. 

In the second half, Grinnell started much the same as the first half, building a 13-point lead, but once again, the Prairie Fire fought back, cutting the deficit to three, 70-67, after a Russell Wright layup. Grinnell answered again, pulling away for its largest lead of the night, 19 points, before Knox cut the deficit to single digits again. But the Prairie Fire ran out of time, falling by 10.

The loss officially eliminates Knox from the Midwest Conference Tournament next weekend.

Knox drops to 10-14, 6-9 in league play.

Wright led the Prairie Fire with team highs in points (25) and rebounds (nine). Josh Stewart added 19 points, nine rebounds, and a team-high four assists. Ryan Erdos scored 16, and Noah Campbell added 15 points, five rebounds, four assists, and seven steals. Aydan Ayer also scored in double figures, finishing with 11 while adding four assists. 

The Prairie Fire conclude the season on Saturday afternoon, visiting Lawrence at 1 p.m.