DUBUQUE, Iowa — After knocking off host Loras College at the Loras Tip-Off Classic last night, the Knox College women's basketball team could not replicate that success this afternoon against Coe College in an 88-75 defeat at the Lillis Athletic & Wellness Center. Taylor Brunson led the Kohawks (1-1) with 26 points while first-year forward Nayeli Nidez Acuña paced the Prairie Fire (1-1) for a second straight game with her second straight double-double.

Nidez Acuña converted 6-of-10 field goals and 6-of-9 at the foul line to score 18 points while grabbing 11 rebounds, both figures leading Knox. Junior Kylie Callahan and sophomore Bria Medina each produced 14 points, while fifth-year Sarina Dacio chipped in 10.

The entire first quarter was a one-possession game until eight seconds remained when Coe hit a layup for a 21-17 lead, but sophomore Leah Schoonover heaved up a prayer at the buzzer that banked in for a 3-pointer, closing the gap to one. The Kohawks briefly took a six-point lead in the second quarter only to have Knox fire back with an 8-0 run. At the half, it remained a one-possession game with Coe owning a slim two-point lead, 41-39.

The third quarter, however, belonged to the Kohawks as the Prairie Fire went cold with just one field goal over the 10 minutes. After Medina tied the game with two free throws, Coe embarked on a 10-0 run and continued to build its lead to as many as 18 in the period. Knox did score the final seven points of the quarter thanks to hitting 5-of-6 at the charity stripe, keeping its hopes alive while trailing, 62-51.

Coe made sure there was no comeback on this day, maintaining a double-digit advantage throughout the remainder of the game and at one point enjoying a 20-point lead.

• The difference in the game can be attributed to offensive rebounding. Coe hauled in 22 boards at the offensive end that led to 21 second-chance points, while Knox had just five second-chance points off of nine offensive caroms.
• The Prairie Fire finished the afternoon shooting 37.9 percent (22-of-58) from the floor and 83.3 percent (25-of-30) at the line, compared to 41.5 percent (34-of-82) on field goals for the Kohawks and 69.2 percent (9-of-13) on free throws.
• Coe drained 11 3-pointers — three by Caydee Kirkham who scored 18 points — while Knox had six by five different players (Schoonover had two).

Knox next plays its home opener on Wednesday evening at Memorial Gymnasium against Wartburg College, a team that played in the Division III Final Four last year. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. with live video and stats available through the official website of Knox College athletics, PrairieFire.Knox.edu.