APPLETON, Wis. – The Grinnell College men's basketball team worked overtime Saturday afternoon as it continued its strong early-season ride and cemented a perfect Midwest Conference record heading into winter break.
 
The Pioneers outlasted Lawrence University 133-125 in overtime to move to 4-0 in the league while extending its winning streak to six games, dating back to a pre-Thanksgiving game against Central College. The winning streak is the longest in three seasons.
 
Grinnell, which also extended its winning streak against the Vikings to four, improved to 7-2 overall. The conference record is the team's best since the 2012-13 season, while the overall mark is the best since 2013-14.
 
The Pioneer boasted a balanced scoring attack with six players in double figures. Julian Marx '17 and Vinny Curta '19 had 30 points each, Ky-Sean Johnson '19 tallied 14, Mike Porter '17 and Ikaika Phillip '18 put in 12 each and Jacob Ekstrand '18 scored 11.
 
Ekstrand grabbed a career-high nine rebounds and Curta dished out six assists and came up with a career-high four steals.
 
Lawrence got up by 11 in the first half before Grinnell rallied and took the lead. However, the Vikings went into the locker room with a 60-59 edge.
 
The second half was close the entire way, and the teams were tied at 113-all after regulation.
 
Curta opened overtime with a free throw but Lawrence responded with a charity shot. Then the Pioneers caught fire, going on a 10-1 run to all but put the game away.
 
Marx began things with a jumper and two 3-pointers to put the Pioneers ahead 122-114. After a Viking free throw, Curta made a jumper and pair of free throws for a 125-115 lead with 2:42 left.
 
Lawrence never got closer than four after that while falling to 2-2 in the MWC and 2-4 in all games.
 
Grinnell is off until Jan. 4 when it plays at Ripon College.