MONMOUTH, Ill. – After seven consecutive games on the road, the Grinnell College women's basketball team will roll into its first home contest in about a month-and-a-half on a high note.
The Pioneers sailed to a 64-42 victory at Monmouth College Wednesday, extending their winning streak to three games while improving to 6-3 in the Midwest Conference and 8-6 overall.
The win was Grinnell's third straight against Monmouth, and the 22-point margin of victory was the third-highest the Pioneers have posted against the Scots in the lengthy series history. Only wins of 24 and 27 points in the 1989-90 and 1990-91 seasons were bigger.
The margin was also the biggest for Grinnell since beating Mount Mary by 38 points in the 2014-15 campaign.
Grinnell's
Kayla Morrissey '18, who ranks among the MWC leaders in scoring, had another big effort with 18 points with the aid of 2-of-3 shooting from 3-point land. She also had three steals.
Lydia Stariha '17 added nine points, hitting 7-of-8 free throws in the process, and tied a season-high with six rebounds and also had four assists.
Sophia Gatton '17 had seven points and
Ariel Keller '17 tied a career-high with two steals and came up one shy of a career-high in rebounds with nine.
The first quarter was tight the entire way, with Grinnell emerging with an 11-8 lead. It was still a four-point game early in the second period when the Pioneers went on a big seven-point run, as Morrissey made two jumpers and a 3-pointer to put Grinnell ahead 24-13 with 4:22 left.
After Monmouth closed within six at 24-18, Grinnell erupted with 12 consecutive points to close the half. Morrissey and Gatton opened the run with 3-pointers, Morrissey added a basket and Stariha and Morrissey each sank two free throws for a 36-18 edge at the break.
Grinnell led 53-28 after three periods and went ahead by as many as 32 in the fourth frame before securing the win.
The Pioneers will attempt to avenge an earlier loss to Ripon College when the Red Hawks visit Darby Gymnasium Saturday. Tip-off is at 1 p.m.
