BELOIT, Wis. – After starting 2017 with three hard-fought setbacks, the Grinnell College men's basketball team bounced back in a big way Saturday afternoon against Beloit College.
 
The Pioneers completed a season sweep of the Buccaneers with a 111-92 Midwest Conference win. It was Grinnell's first victory at Beloit since 2013 as the Pioneers improved to 5-3 in the MWC and 8-5 overall.
 
Grinnell dominated from start to finish, as other than a short bit in the first half the Pioneers led throughout. Defensively, Grinnell limited an opponent to season-lows for points and field goals (34).
 
Grinnell's Julian Marx '17 and Ky-Sean Johnson '19 shared game-high scoring honors with 20 points apiece, while Vinny Curta '19 had 11 points and Nick Curta '17 and Sean Cullinane '18 tallied nine apiece.
 
Nick Curta also had four rebounds. Mike Porter '17 added seven assists, which ties his career-high, and Vinny Curta tied his season-high with six assists. Vinny Curta also had a pair of steals.
 
Grinnell shot out to a nine-point lead before Beloit, 2-6 in the MWC and 4-9 overall, rallied to take its lone lead at 29-27 midway through the first half.
 
The Pioneers managed to climb back ahead and then used a 10-0 run to turn a two-point lead into a 48-36 cushion. Marx, Nathan Balcom '18 and Ikaika Phillip '18 each had 3-pointers during the spurt and Vinny Curta a free throw.
 
Grinnell went into the locker room ahead 54-44. Beloit got as close as six points with 5:29 left in the second half, but the Pioneers countered with a 13-2 run. Vinny Curta, Jacob Ekstrand '18 and Marx all had 3-pointers in that span, Marx made a layup and Balcom connected on two free throws for a 103-86 lead with 2:37 left.
 
The Pioneers sailed from there for the win.
 
The Pioneers are on the road again Wednesday with a contest at Monmouth College, the first meeting of the season for the teams. The tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m.