Eureka Falls Short to Knox, 79-71

EUREKA — The Eureka women's basketball fell in a back-and-forth non-conference matchup against Knox on Wednesday.

The Prairie Fire edged the Red Devils 79-71 at Christine Bonati Bollwinkle Arena, salvaging a season series split.

Eureka's Olivia Falls (Bloomington, Ill./Bloomington) racked up 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field — and the free-throw line. She also pulled down 10 rebounds to finish with a double-double on the night.

Ashley Harfst (Saunemin, Ill./Pontiac) followed with 19 points while hitting 8-of-8 from the line, while Ja'Keesha Hawkins (Peoria, Ill./Peoria) and Kennedy Dura (Edwards, Ill./Brimfield) added 13 and 10, respectively.

The Red Devils shot 37.5 percent from the field on the night and made 80 percent of their free throws.

EC trailed by seven at halftime, but took over with a third quarter in which it outscored the opposition 20-7. In the fourth quarter, however, the Prairie Fire came right back with 31-point burst to finish strong and get the win.

Nyah Daniels led the way for Knox with 20 points. NaKeva Mack added 18 and Jarrelyn McCall contributed 12.

Eureka (3-2) will open St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play at Blackburn on Wednesday 5:30 p.m.