GRINNELL, Iowa – The Grinnell College women's basketball team slugged it out with perennial Midwest Conference powerhouse St. Norbert College most of the first three periods before falling 71-60 Saturday afternoon at Darby Gymnasium.
 
The Pioneers, 2-2 in the league and 3-3 overall, broke away from a 16-all tie after one period for a 33-29 halftime lead.
 
But St. Norbert, 3-0 in the MWC and 4-2 overall, came back with a 22-12 run in the third period en route to the victory.
 
Alex Neckopulos '17 hit 6-of-7 shots from the field to finish with 13 points, while Kayla Morrissey '18 added 12 points. Alissa Hirsh '16 tallied four assists, while Neckopulos had eight rebounds and three steals.
 
Grinnell three times built four-point leads in the second period, the first at 20-16 on Lydia Stariha's '17 layup, again at 22-18 on a layup by Morrissey and the final time on a Hirsh free throw to end the half.
 
It was still tight in the third period, with St. Norbert up by one with 3:15 to play, before the Green Knights closed out the quarter with a 10-4 run for a 51-45 lead.
 
St. Norbert went up by as many as 16 in the final quarter to secure the win.
 
Grinnell plays at Central College on Monday. Game time is 7 p.m.