GRINNELL, Iowa – Grinnell College put up a strong fight against defending Midwest Conference champion Cornell College, but a strong second half lifted the Rams to a 70-50 victory Wednesday night at Darby Gymnasium.
 
Grinnell broke out to a 10-3 lead to start the game and trailed just 31-29 at intermission. But the Rams outscored the hosts 24-11 in the third quarter with a late surge and 15-10 in the fourth.
 
Regan Kasprak '19 led the charge for Grinnell with a career- and game-high 19 points. Kayla Morrissey '18 nearly had another double-double, tallying 15 points and nine rebounds to go along with a career-high four steals and four assists. Morrissey moved into fifth on Grinnell's career point leader board at 1,269 points.
 
Claire Collier '21 had a career-best three steals and Tyria Heath '21 added two. Mikayla Kricfalusi '20 grabbed seven boards.
 
Grinnell is now 4-6 in the Midwest Conference and 7-8 overall, while the Rams moved to 8-2 in the league and 11-5 in all games.
 
Morrissey had a 3-pointer, two layups and free throw to push Grinnell ahead 8-3 and Kasprak hit a jumper for a 10-3 edge. However, Cornell came back and took a 17-14 lead by the end of the first period.
 
Grinnell gained its final lead at 22-21 on Morrissey's free throws with 4:49 left in the half. Cornell came back to lead by six and went into the locker room ahead 31-29.
 
The Pioneers forced the final tie of the game when Heath opened the second half with a basket. However, Cornell responded with a six-point run before twice Grinnell closed within two, the last time at 42-40 on Kasprak's jumper.
 
The Rams closed out the quarter with a 13-point run to lead 55-40 entering the final quarter and secured the win from there.
  
The Pioneers hit the road to play Lawrence University Saturday in Appleton, Wis. Game time is 3 p.m.