Box Score GRINNELL, Iowa -  Wartburg College used a big second half to defeat the Grinnell College women's basketball team 81-53 Wednesday night at Darby Gymnasium.

The Pioneers fell behind by as many as 15 points in the first half before roaring back to cut the gap to five near the end of the stanza. Wartburg led just 37-30 at halftime, but scored the first 10 points of the second half to pull away.

Grinnell's Alissa Hirsh '16 led all scorers with 18 points, while Anne Boldt '16 was also in double figures with 12. Boldt and Lydia Stariha '17 had seven and six rebounds, respectively, while Ariel Keller '17 had two steals.

After falling behind 21-6 with 10:15 left in the first half, Grinnell gradually rallied. The Pioneers still trailed by 14 with 3:05 remaining when the Pioneers caught fire with an 11-2 run. Hirsh began the spurt with a free throw and Alex Neckopulus '17 had a layup to make it 33-22.

Hirsh made consecutive layups to bring Grinnell within seven. After Wartburg scored, Hirsh sank a jumper and Stariha hit two free throws to make it 35-30 with :22 left. Wartburg finished the half with a pair of free throws for a seven-point lead at the break.

Grinnell's rally wouldn't continue, though, as the Knights came out of the locker room and built the lead to 47-30. They never looked back while improving their record to 1-1. Grinnell dipped to 0-2.

The Pioneers open Midwest Conference play Saturday at Illinois College. Game time is 3 p.m.