JACKSONVILLE, Ill. -- The Lawrence University women's basketball team gave up a late scoring run Saturday, and Illinois College pulled away for a 66-50 Midwest Conference victory at Sherman Gymnasium.
    Lawrence trailed by just one at 44-43 when Illinois College scored 15 consecutive points to grab control of the game.
    Kenya Earl posted a double-double for Lawrence with game highs of 16 points and 12 rebounds. It is the fifth double-double of the season for Earl and the 21st of her career. 
    Rookie guard Maggie Culver added 14 points and pulled down eight rebounds for the Vikings (4-5, 2-2 MWC). Mallory Meyer added eight points for Lawrence.
    The Vikings trailed 40-36 heading to the fourth quarter before Culver and Meyer traded baskets with the Lady Blues to open the period. Culver then buried a 3-pointer to trim the lead to 44-43 with 7:30 remaining in the contest. 
    Illinois College (3-6, 2-2) answered with a 3-pointer from Krista Bass to start the run of 15 consecutive points that pushed the lead to 59-43 with 2:48 left. Lawrence went 0-for-5 from the floor and committed four turnovers during that scoreless stretch.
    Earl finally broke the run with a jumper with 2:23 left, but the Vikings would get no closer than 13 points the rest of the way.
    The Vikings struggled from the floor, connecting on just 15-of-58 shots for 25.9 percent shooting. Lawrence hit just 6-of-28 (21.4 percent) from beyond the arc. The Vikings were great at the foul line and went 14-for-19 from the stripe.
    Lawrence's defense kept the Vikings in the game as they forced 20 Illinois College turnovers and held the Lady Blues to 4-of-17 shooting (23.5 percent) from 3-point range.
    Lawrence returns to action on Tuesday when the Vikings travel to Alverno College for a nonconference game.