STORM LAKE, Iowa – Grinnell College hung tight with Buena Vista University for the entire game Thursday afternoon, but the hosts hung on for a 69-62 women's basketball win in non-conference action.
 
Kayla Morrissey '18 came up with yet another huge performance for Grinnell, tallying her fourth double-double of the season with game-highs of 24 points and 11 rebounds. Morrissey, whose point total tied her season-high, hit 7-of-10 field goal tries and also made 10 free throws.
 
Sophia Gatton '17 added 10 points while tying a career record with three 3-pointers. Alex Neckopulos '17 and Lydia Stariha '17 added eight points each.
 
Stariha also dished out a career-high seven assists and Morrissey tallied five. Morrissey contributed five assists and Neckopulos seven rebounds as Grinnell moved to 5-4 on the season. Buena Vista improved to 7-4.
 
Grinnell trailed 21-14 after the first period and Buena Vista twice pushed the lead to nine in the second frame, the final time at 26-17 with 6:47 left.
 
That's when the Pioneers kicked into gear, going on a 15-4 run to take their first and only lead.
 
Stariha opened the spurt with a 3-pointer and Morrissey sank a layup to slice the gap to 26-22. After a basket by the Beavers, Gatton drained a 3-pointer to make it a 28-25 game with 4:41 left.
 
Buena Vista then answered with a basket, but Morrissey made four free throws in a row to bring Grinnell within a point and Gatton swished a 3-pointer with 2:14 left to put the visitors ahead 32-30.
 
However, Buena Vista responded with a six-point run to close out the half, making it 36-32 at intermission.
 
The hosts inched their way up to a 54-43 lead after three quarters and secured the win in the final frame.
 
Grinnell returns to Midwest Conference action Jan. 4 with a game at Ripon College. Tip-off is 5:30 p.m.