Box Score PELLA, Iowa – The Grinnell College women's basketball team saw a 25-20 halftime lead slip away as host Central College rallied for a 63-56 victory Thursday night in the season opener for both teams.

Tolu Alabi '13 and Rebecca DeGroot '14 each scored 10 points for Grinnell, while Anne Boldt '16 connected on 3-of-7 tries from 3-point land while scoring nine points.

Michelle Briggs '13 grabbed 17 rebounds and blocked seven shots, leaving her one block shy of the Midwest Conference career record. She also scored nine points.

Alissa Hirsh '16 had eight points, five assists and two steals.

Grinnell got out to a quick start, scoring 12 of the first 15 points with Briggs tallying three, Kelly Clarke '13 hitting a 3-pointer, Alabi sinking a layup and Karen Gogins '13 making two free throws.

After Central cut the gap to 13-10, Grinnell again took a nine-point lead with an 8-2 run. Hirsh, Briggs and Alabi all had jumpers in that span and Alabi finished it with a layup for a 21-12 lead with 6:18 to go in the half.

Central rallied, though, cutting the margin to 25-20 by halftime. The Dutch kept up that momentum in the second half and took their first lead at 27-26 with 17:09 left in the game.

Grinnell hung close and forced several ties, the last at 45-all on a jumper by DeGroot with 5:14 left. However, Central came back with a six-point run and never trailed again.

The Pioneers have some time off before hosting Benedictine College of Kansas on Sunday, Nov. 25. Game time is 2 p.m.