Box Score PASADENA, Calif. – First-year Grinnell College women's basketball coach Dana Harrold celebrated her initial career victory Monday as the Pioneers rolled over Caltech 79-56 at Braun Athletic Center.

The Pioneers shot a season-best 45.9 percent from the field and scored 20 more points than their season average while earning their first victory of the 2013-14 campaign. Grinnell is now 1-7, while Caltech dipped to 1-8.

Grinnell had three players score in double figures, led by Alissa Hirsh's '16 17-point output. She was 7-of-12 from the field.

Cristal Coleman '15 drained 3-of-6 shots from 3-point land while scoring 15 points, and Alex Plemmons '15 poured in 10. Ariel Keller '17 grabbed 10 rebounds, Hirsh dished out five assists, Coleman blocked three shots and Anne Boldt '16 came up with three steals.

Stephanie Wong had 23 points to lead Caltech.

Coleman led off the game with a 3-pointer as the Pioneers never trailed. The key was a 12-point run in the first half that turned a one-point lead into a 30-17 cushion. Coleman hit consecutive layups and Boldt drained a trey to put the Pioneers ahead 25-17.

Plemmons followed with a basket and Coleman swished a 3-pointer to put the Pioneers up by 13 points with 8:21 left. Grinnell went up by as many as 14 before settling for a 40-28 halftime lead.

The hosts fell behind by 16 in the second half before chipping away at Grinnell's lead, coming as close as 62-56 with 4:35 remaining.

But Grinnell went on another run, this one a 17-pointer to finish off the contest. Hirsh began things with two baskets and a pair of free throws to make it 68-56. Abby Jaeger '14 followed with a 3-pointer, Boldt made two free throws and Jaeger one charity shot to put the Pioneers ahead 74-56.

Coleman's layup, two free throws by Haley Lopez '17 and one free throw by Jordan Matosky '16 finished off the win.

The Pioneers are back in action Tuesday with a game against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in Claremont, Calif. The contest begins at 3 p.m. Central time.