GRINNELL, Iowa – What a difference three weeks can make!
 
After being defeated by Carroll University by 26 points on Jan. 17, the Grinnell College women's basketball team turned the tables on that same foe with a 66-62 victory in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Darby Gymnasium Saturday afternoon.
 
Not only did the win mark one of the program's biggest wins in recent seasons, it also snapped a five-game losing streak to the Midwest Conference's second-place team and interrupted a stretch of 16 losses in 17 games to Carroll.
 
Grinnell improved to 7-8 in the MWC and 9-11 in all games, while Carroll fell to 11-4 in league play and 14-6 overall.
 
Alissa Hirsh '16 led Grinnell with 15 points and four assists, while Kayla Morrissey '18 added 11 points, four assists and two steals. Alex Neckopulos '17 pulled down 11 rebounds and Alex Plemmons '15 celebrated Senior Day with six boards.
 
Neither team led by more than four points in the first half before Carroll took a 31-29 lead into the locker room.
 
Carroll took leads of seven points three times in the second half, the last at 46-39 with 11:38 left.
 
But Grinnell then went on a key eight-point run to take command, as Neckopulos made a basket and free throw, Anne Boldt '16 added a free throw, Morrissey made two charity shots and Haley Lopez '17 converted on a layup to put the hosts ahead 47-46 with 8:36 left.
 
It was back-and-fourth after that, with four ties – the last at 62-all with :36 left on Gatton's free throw. She followed with another to put Grinnell ahead to stay.
 
The host school's defense held after that and Carroll fouled with :11 left. Morrissey calmly sank both free throws for a three-point edge.
 
After a missed basket by Carroll, Hirsh was fouled and completed the scoring with a free throw with a second left to send the hosts into celebration.
 
Grinnell has another big MWC contest at Lake Forest College next Saturday. Game time is 1 p.m.