Foresters Fade in Second Half at Knox

Photo by Steve Frommell, d3photography.com
Photo by Steve Frommell, d3photography.com

Sophomore guard Hannah O'Day led the visitors with 11 points in the Lake Forest College women's basketball team's 66-49 loss at Knox College on Saturday.

O'Day gave the Foresters their only lead of the afternoon when she knocked down a pair of free throws with 16 seconds to play in the first half. However, a basket at the buzzer gave the Prairie Fire a 23-22 advantage at the break.

A 16-5 Knox run to open the third quarter extended the home team's lead to a dozen points but Lake Forest trimmed it in half by the end of the period. Trailing 43-37 with 10 minutes remaining, the Foresters quickly saw the deficit reach double figures again in the fourth quarter and the Prairie Fire continued to pull away for the victory.

Lake Forest senior forward Brittany Avonts and sophomore guard Bridget Bilek were next on the team with eight points apiece. They also led all players in the game with 13 rebounds and four assists, respectively.

The Foresters shot a season-high 44.2 percent from the field in the contest and limited Knox to 42.6 percent. The home team had a slight 33-31 edge in rebounds but a significant advantage in turnovers, committing 18 to Lake Forest's 30.

The loss dropped the Foresters' overall record on the season to 5-12 and their Midwest Conference mark to 4-8. Knox improved to 11-6 overall and 8-4 in the league.

Lake Forest will travel to Beloit College on Tuesday for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off.