GRINNELL, Iowa – After going to overtime against Lawrence University in December, the Grinnell College men's basketball team didn't want a repeat Saturday afternoon.
 
The result: a dominating 129-91 victory over the Vikings at Darby Gymnasium.
 
The win was huge in terms of the battle for the Midwest Conference Tournament, as Grinnell moved to 8-4 in the league and 11-6 overall. Lawrence fell to 7-5 in the MWC and 7-9 overall.
 
Grinnell shot a season-high 88.4 percent from the free throw line (38-of-43) and its defense forced the lowest point total allowed this season.
 
The victory pushed Grinnell's winning streak to five against Lawrence and its home string against the Vikings to seven. The 38-point margin of victory is Grinnell's fourth-highest in the lengthy series.
 
Grinnell's balance was on full display, as Sean Cullinane '18 poured in a game-high 23 points, which is a career-high as were his seven 3-pointers.
 
Julian Marx '17 had 20 points, moving him to 13th on Grinnell's all-time chart with 1,421 points, while Vinny Curta '19 registered his first double-double of the season with 18 points, 11 assists and five steals. The assist and steal totals are both career-highs.
 
Nick Curta '17 had season-highs of 14 points and seven rebounds, Jacob Ekstrand '18 tallied 13 points and Ky-Sean Johnson '19 had 12 points.
 
The contest was tight for the first portion of the first half, with Grinnell holding a 22-19 lead with 11:15 to go. Grinnell gave itself some breathing room with two free throws by Phillip and 3-pointer by Cullinane for a 27-19 edge.
 
After the visitors closed within six, Grinnell delivered the devastating blow with a 20-4 run. Marx had two 3-pointers during the spurt, Johnson two baskets and a free throw and Noah Jacobson '20 a bucket and free throw. Reggie Bynum '19 added a basket and Phillip and Nick Curta two free throws apiece.
 
The Pioneers led 70-46 at halftime and never looked back from there.
 
Grinnell looks to avenge an earlier loss to Monmouth College when the Scots visit Darby Gymnasium Tuesday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.