Lake Forest sophomore guard Eric Porter scored 18 points and had a game-high six assists and three steals in an 86-78 victory over Knox College at home on Saturday.
Porter shot 5-for-8 from the floor and the Foresters connected on a season-high 53.3 percent of their field goal attempts on the afternoon. He was also 2-for-5 from three-point range and 6-for-6 from the free throw line in 35 minutes.
Lake Forest junior forward Jim Schick also played 35 minutes on Saturday and recorded his fifth double-double in six games this season. His 22 points and 10 rebounds led all players in the contest and he was 10-for-15 from the field on the day.
Forester freshman forward Danny Sotos also reached double figures with 14 points and added four rebounds. Sophomore guard Danny Nikitas and freshman guard Jordan Moran were next on the team with nine points apiece.
Knox shot 44.3 percent from the field and connected on 10 of 24 attempts from three-point range. Lake Forest outscored the visitors 17-14 from the foul line but needed nine extra attempts to do it. The Prairie Fire had a 38-33 edge in rebounds while the Foresters took better care of the ball, committing just 11 of the game's 30 turnovers.
Lake Forest scored the game's first seven points but eventually trailed by as many as six in the first half. The Foresters closed out the period on an 11-3 run and led 39-37 at halftime.
The margin was two points again early in the second half before three-pointers by Porter and Sotos and layups by Schick and Moran made the score 56-44. After a Prairie Fire three-pointer, Sotos scored again and the lead remained in double figures until the final two minutes of the contest. Porter and Sotos combined to make seven of eight foul shots in the final 33.2 seconds to clinch the victory.
Lake Forest is now 3-3 overall this season and 2-1 in Midwest Conference play. Knox fell to 1-3 overall and 0-2 in the league.
The Foresters will play their final conference game of 2015 at St. Norbert College on Tuesday. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.