RIPON, Wis. – Grinnell College's women's basketball game with Ripon College Wednesday featured two teams expecting to contend for the Midwest Conference Tournament later next month.

The contest proved to be as good a battle as advertised, as Grinnell grabbed a five-point halftime lead before the hosts rallied for a 69-64 victory.

Grinnell, 3-2 in league play and 5-5 overall, was stellar at the foul line where it hit 21-of-25 shots. Kayla Morrissey '18 led that charge as she was perfect on all 10 free throws to tie a school record for success rate.

Morrissey finished with 19 points, while Kaitlyn Norton '17 had a season-high 13 points and Lydia Stariha '17 tied a season-high with 13, as well.

Alex Neckopulos '17 had eight rebounds and Morrissey six. Stariha tied a career-high with three steals and Norton tied her career-high of two blocked shots. Sophia Gatton '17 dished out three assists.

Ripon led 11-9 after one period when Grinnell came back to take a 21-20 edge midway through the second frame. The Pioneers then poured it on with an 8-2 run as Norton nailed a 3-pointer, Gatton and Stariha each had baskets and Daria Guzzo '19 made a free throw for a 29-22 lead.

Twice more the Pioneers led by seven, the last at 33-26 on free throws by Stariha, before the hosts made it a 33-28 game at intermission.

After Ripon opened the third period strong, Grinnell responded and led 46-45 at its end.

The fourth period was tied midway through before Ariel Keller '17 made a free throw and Haley Lopez '17 sank a trey to put the Pioneers ahead 57-53.

However, Ripon came back with a nine-point run to go up by five. Grinnell got as close as two when Stariha converted a traditional three-point play at the 3:26 mark, but the Red Hawks answered with a four-point surge to pull away for the victory.

With the win, Ripon moved to 4-1 in the MWC and 6-4 overall.

Next Up: The Pioneers play MWC foe St. Norbert College Friday in the Kress Center on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Tip-off is slated for 5 p.m.