The Prairie Fire overcame a double-digit deficit and defeated Dominican University 105-93 in their season-opener in the North Park Invite on November 15.

Dominican built a 48-38 lead with 2:24 remaining in a close first half up to that point.  The Stars (0-1) took a 53-44 lead into the halftime locker room after shooting 57 percent from the floor compared to 28 percent for Knox.

Dominican came out strong in the second half and extended its advantage to 61-47 with 18:20 to play.

The Prairie Fire's constant pressure and a big run eventually took its toll.

Knox (1-0) grabbed its first lead since early in the first half at 73-72 on a 3-point basket by junior Jodi Marver (Northbrook, IL, Glenbrook North) with 10:35 in regulation.

The Stars led one more time, 77-76, on a pair of free throws at the 9:23 mark.  The Prairie Fire responded with a 13-0 run to put Dominican in an 89-77 hole with 6:54 left in the game.

Dominican refused to go quietly, cutting the Knox lead to 91-86 with 4:00 to go.  The Prairie Fire continued to attack and pushed the lead to 103-91 with 1:52 remaining to put the contest out of reach.

Knox shot 36 percent (39-of-107) overall, including 24 percent (8-of-34) from 3-point range, and sank 19-of-34 (56 percent) free throws.  The Prairie Fire also forced 37 turnovers while committing only 12.

Dominican finished at 45 percent shooting (32-of-71) and 19 percent (4-of-21) from long distance while connecting on 25-of-36 (69 percent) foul shots.

Marver led six Prairie Fire players in double-figure scoring with 22 points.  First-year Aly Eastman (Kewanee, IL, Wethersfield) and junior Becky Duffy (Chicago, IL, Northside Prep) added 16 apiece, juniors Jessica Howard (Galesburg, IL, Galesburg) and Brittney Price (Wyoming, IL, Stark County) had 13 each, and senior Grace Theisen (Minneapolis, MN, Southwest) contributed 12 points. 

Marver and Eastman shared team-high rebounding honors with each corralling nine.