JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – The Grinnell College women's basketball team truly saved its best for last Saturday afternoon.
 
The Pioneers, who lost to Illinois College by 25 points 3-1/2 weeks ago, avenged that loss by tripping up the Lady Blues 57-53 on the latter's home court.
 
Grinnell, which finished the season 8-10 in the Midwest Conference and 10-13 overall, held the Lady Blues to 19 fewer points than the previous meeting. The Lady Blues, who will be the fourth seed in the MWC Tourney, fell to 11-7 in league play and 14-9 overall.
 
The Pioneers' balanced scoring attack was sparked by Alissa Hirsh '16, who had 14 points to go along with six assists and four steals. Leah Greenberg '17 added 11 points, Anne Boldt '16 scored nine and Alex Neckopulos '17 pulled in 12 rebounds.
 
After falling behind by six early, the Pioneers raced back into contention with eight unanswered points. Boldt began the spurt with a layup and free throw, Greenberg drained a 3-pointer and Hirsh made a layup to put the Pioneers ahead 15-13.
 
The teams battled back and forth the rest of the half, with Grinnell leading 29-28 at intermission after Boldt's 3-pointer.
 
Illinois College had a strong start to the second half before the Pioneers answered with another eight-point run as Greenberg made a jumper and 3-pointer, and Kaitlyn Norton '17 had a trey, for a 44-41 Grinnell lead.
 
It was tight the rest of the half, with Grinnell ahead 52-51 with 1:15 left. Hirsh then hit a key layup and free throw to push the margin to four points with :36 left.
 
After Illinois College got a basket, Hirsh was fouled with :16 left and made both shots to account for the final margin.