MONMOUTH, Ill. – Grinnell College's women's basketball team tipped off Midwest Conference play in perfect fashion Tuesday night, stopping Monmouth College 69-52.
 
The win marked the Pioneers' first victory at Monmouth since the 2011-12 season.
 
Grinnell rode a balanced scoring attack, led by Alissa Hirsh's '16 17 points. Kayla Morrissey '18 poured in 12 points and Sophia Gatton '17 had 10.
 
Alex Neckopulos '17 grabbed 14 rebounds, while Hirsh dished out eight assists and recorded three steals.
 
Grinnell is now 2-1 overall, while Monmouth fell to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in the league.
 
The Pioneers shot out to an 18-11 lead by the end of the first period before the Fighting Scots closed the gap to 34-31 by halftime.
 
That's when Grinnell broke it open, outscoring the hosts 24-5 in the third frame. Grinnell led by five with 8:15 to go in the quarter before erupting with a 12-point run. Anne Boldt '16 started things off with a jumper before Gatton made a layup and Morrissey a 3-pointer for a 45-33 lead.
 
Gatton added a jumper and Boldt a trey to push the lead to 50-33 with 5:14 to go. The Pioneers cruised the rest of the way.
 
Grinnell hosts Beloit College at 3 p.m. Saturday in Darby Gymnasium.