GRINNELL, Iowa – The Grinnell College men's basketball team surged past Beloit College in the second half for a 122-110 Midwest Conference opener victory Friday night at Darby Gymnasium.
 
The Pioneers, who led 63-62 at halftime, improved to 4-2 overall while Beloit fell to 2-3 overall and 0-2 in the league.
 
Vinny Curta '19 had a game-high 28 points to go along with five rebounds for Grinnell. Julian Marx '17 tallied 19 points, Ky-Sean Johnson '19 had 17 and Mike Porter '17 and Sean Cullinane '18 scored15 each.
 
Cullinane's total was a career high, as were his four 3-pointers. Porter also had four treys, matching his career high.
 
Marx led Grinnell with six assists, while Johnson and Nick Curta '17 came up with three steals each. Nick Curta and Jacob Ekstrand '18 blocked two shots each, and Nick Curta also grabbed five boards.
 
Grinnell built its lead as large as 12 in the first half when Johnson's layup made it 54-42 with 4:35 left. However, the Buccaneers rallied and made it a one-point game at the half.
 
The Pioneers tried to pull away in the second half and, when up by six, went on a key eight-point run to all but seal the deal. Vinny Curta had a layup, Cullinane converted a traditional three-point play and Ekstrand drained a 3-pointer to make it 115-101 with 3:09 left.
 
Grinnell cruised from there for the win.
 
The Pioneers entertain Lake Forest College at 3 p.m. Saturday in Darby Gymnasium.