GRINNELL, Iowa – The Grinnell College women's basketball team had a tough season opener earlier in the week, but that result was put in the rear view mirror Saturday afternoon as the Pioneers dominated Macalester College 68-54 at Darby Gymnasium.
 
The Pioneers scored the first 12 points of the game and never looked back while beating Macalester for the first time in five tries. Both teams are now 1-1.
 
Kayla Morrissey '18 had a huge game for Grinnell, posting a double-double with a game-high 21 points to go along with 10 rebounds. Morrissey, who also dished out a game-high four assists, had 12 made free throws among her totals.
 
Sophia Gatton '17 and Lydia Stariha '17 each had 13 points, with Stariha going 5-of-7 from the field. Alex Neckopulos '17 grabbed 11 rebounds and Ariel Keller '17 had two steals.
 
Stariha and Gatton opened the scoring with layups before Neckopulos sank a jumper. Baskets by Stariha, Daria Guzzo '19 and Morrissey made it 12-0 just six minutes into the game.
 
Grinnell's defense also got into the act, holding Macalester to 2-of-13 shooting in the opening quarter for an 18-7 lead.
 
The Pioneers went ahead by as many as 19 in the second period before leading 31-20 at intermission. Grinnell led 44-33 after three quarters and went up by 14 in the final stanza.
 
Macalester made one last run, coming within 59-53 with 1:36 left in the game. However, Gatton dashed the Scots' further comeback hopes when she swished a 3-point shot with 1:10 left. Grinnell cruised from there for the win.
 
The Pioneers entertain North Central of Minnesota at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Darby Gymnasium.