GRINNELL, Iowa - The Prairie Fire women's basketball team defeated Grinnell 74-60 in their return to conference action on Sunday. Knox avenged a 58-57 loss to the Pioneers earlier this season.
Catessa Duran got the Prairie Fire off to a fast start with a layup in the first four seconds of the game. Grinnell took a 5-4 lead over the next few minutes, but Knox took a five point lead midway through the first quarter. The Prairie Fire led by as many as nine in the period, but finished the first quarter up 17-12.
The Pioneers pulled to within two points early in the second quarter, but Knox soon pulled away to a double digit lead and took a 39-29 lead into halftime.
Midway through the third quarter, the Prairie Fire built up a 17 point lead and a three pointer by Haylee Carpenter with 17 seconds remaining in the period sent Knox into the final quarter with a 55-37 lead.
Another trey by Carpenter in the first minute of the fourth quarter gave the Prairie Fire a 21 point advantage. Grinnell chipped away at the lead, but failed to get a sizable run going. Knox held on for the 14 point victory.
Jessica Lee led the Prairie Fire with 15 points on 5-of-11 shooting. Carpenter and Saxon Alvarez each added 11 points. Duran and Kristin Herndon tacked on 10 apiece.
"We have been so close all year to putting it all together for a full game and today we finally did it," said head coach Kira Mowen. "We played good basketball from start to finish and sustained the runs from Grinnell. Now we just have to string a few of these games together."
Knox returns to action as they travel to Cornell on January 12.