LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The Grinnell College men's basketball team nearly converted another huge come-from-behind victory over Lake Forest College.
 
After beating the Foresters in December after trailing by 20 points in the second half, the Pioneers were in trouble again Friday night when they fell behind by 16 in the first half.
 
Grinnell came up with a huge rally to take the lead, though, but the hosts responded and hung on for a 109-105 Midwest Conference victory.
 
Vinny Curta '19 had a stellar all-round game for Grinnell, as he poured in a team-high 24 points to go along with a career-high five steals as well as seven assists.
 
Mike Porter '17 tied a season-high with 15 points, while Sean Cullinane '18 had a season-high 12 points. Jacob Ekstrand '18 also had 12 points.
 
Griffin Boehm '19 added a career-high three steals and also grabbed five rebounds.
 
Cullinane and Curta each had four 3-pointers, while Porter and Ikaika Phillip '18 sank three apiece.
 
Grinnell, 4-3 in the MWC and 7-5 overall, fell behind 40-24 with 5:45 left in the first period before closing out the half with a 22-10 run to make it a 50-46 game at intermission.
 
Lake Forest, 4-3 in the MWC and 6-6 in all games, was ahead by 10 early in the second half before the Pioneers got hot with a 14-2 run to take the lead. Julian Marx '17 and Ekstrand each made 3-pointers and Curta sank two free throws to bring Grinnell within 56-54.
 
After a Lake Forest basket, Curta and Ekstrand each hit treys to make it a 60-58 Grinnell lead with 15:54 left.
 
The teams played on even terms the rest of the way. Grinnell's last lead was 89-88 on a free throw by Ky-Sean Johnson '19 with 3:45 left. Lake Forest followed with a seven-point run.
 
Grinnell got within two twice down the stretch, the last time at 103-101 on two free throws by Curta with 22 seconds left.
 
However, Lake Forest scored the next four points and held on for the win.
 
The Pioneers are back in action Saturday with a contest at Beloit College. Game time is 3 p.m.