GRINNELL, Iowa –  Grinnell College built a 10-point second-half lead, but was unable to hold off a hard-charging Monmouth College squad as the Fighting Scots came away with an 84-79 men's basketball victory Wednesday at Darby Gymnasium.
 
Midwest Conference Player of the Week Vinny Curta '19 scored more than half of the Pioneers' points, erupting for 42 on 16-of-30 shooting from the field. He also had three assists and two steals.
 
Ky-Sean Johnson '19 added 13 points for the Pioneers, who are 5-4 in the MWC and 10-5 overall, and Jacob Ekstrand '18 grabbed seven rebounds. Nathan Balcom '18 came up with three assists and Dawson Keller '21 blocked a career-high two shots.
 
Monmouth dominated the first half, going up by 12 points on two occasions before the Pioneers rallied to within 38-34 by intermission.
 
Grinnell began the second half with a 10-2 run, as Ikaika Phillip '18 made two free throws, Ekstrand and Johnson drained 3-pointers and Curta registered a big dunk to make it 44-40 in favor of the hosts.
 
Later tied at 47-all, the Pioneers came up with a 12-2 run for a 59-49 edge. Curta had three baskets and a free throw during the spurt, Hannes Kogelnik '21 hit a 3-pointer and Andrew Redhead '18 a layup.
 
But the Fighting Scots, who improved to 7-2 in the MWC and 10-6 overall, gradually inched back and went up 70-69. It was still a one-point lead with just over a minute to go, but the Fighting Scots hit their free throws and held on for the win.
 
Grinnell hits the road for a MWC contest Saturday at Ripon College. Tip-off is at 1 p.m.