On Wednesday, the Knox College women's basketball team took a major step toward qualifying for the Midwest Conference Tournament, winning 62-55 at Cornell.

The victory moved the Prairie Fire (10-10 overall, 8-3 in the MWC) into a tie for second in the conference with Lawrence, one game ahead of fourth-place Cornell and 1.5 games ahead of fifth-place Grinnell. The top four teams qualify for the conference tournament.

After a slow start, the Prairie Fire put things together in the second half, turning a one-point halftime deficit into a seven-point win.

A pivotal third quarter in which Knox outscored Cornell 23-17 gave the Prairie Fire the advantage it would need. 

Bria Medina led Knox, scoring a game-high 21 points. Nayeli Nidez Acuña fell one rebound shy of a double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Kylee Callahan also almost had a double-double, finishing with nine points and 11 rebounds. Carly Smith added nine points and six boards in the win. Izzy Robinson finished with five points and seven rebounds. 

Knox controlled the glass, outrebounding Cornell 51-40. 

The Prairie Fire return home on Saturday, hosting Beloit at 3 p.m. The game serves as Senior Day for Knox College.