Box Score The Grinnell College women's basketball team lost a heart-breaker Saturday afternoon, falling by a 50-49 margin at Illinois College in Jacksonville, Ill.

Tolu Alabi '13 scored a game-high 14 points and had four steals for the Pioneers, who continue to fight for a spot in the Midwest Conference Tournament with a mark of 10-7 in the league and 11-10 overall.

Michelle Briggs '13 added 12 rebounds and two blocks, and Megan Huey '12 grabbed nine boards. Rebecca DeGroot '14 scored nine points.

Holly Wohltman had 14 points for the Lady Blues, who are 9-7 in the league and 9-12 overall.

Grinnell shot out to a 5-0 lead on a basket by Briggs and 3-pointer by Kelly Clarke '13. However, Illinois College rallied and it was close the entire first half. The Pioneers were ahead 33-32 at intermission.

Neither team led by more than four in the second half. The Pioneers forced their final tie with 1:57 left when baskets by Abby Jaeger '14 and Briggs made it 45-all. However, the hosts scored four points in a row before DeGroot sank a pair of free throws to make it 49-47 with :19 left.

However, the hosts made a free throw to go up by three. Grinnell missed a 3-pointer with :07 left and Briggs had a putback shortly after that to complete the scoring.

The Pioneers step out of league play Monday when MacMurray visits Darby Gymnasium. Game time is 6:30 p.m.