GRINNELL, Iowa – The battle between the Grinnell College women's basketball team and Waldorf University was tight for nearly the first half Saturday afternoon before the visitors made a run at the end.
 
That proved to be critical, as Waldorf pulled away in the second half for a 60-35 win at Darby Gymnasium.
 
Grinnell, 1-2 on the season, featured a balanced scoring attack as Sasha Thomas '22 scored six points and Sofia Ahooja '22 had a career-high five. Hanna Kessel '19 also had five points, Daria Guzzo '19 grabbed nine boards and had a block and Ellie Gubbrud '22 and Kate Tomczik '22 each had two steals. Gubbrud's total was a career best.
 
The Pioneers went to work quickly, as Guzzo scored inside to start the game and Tyria Heath '21 added a basket at the 8:51 mark for a 4-0 edge. However, Waldorf followed with a 12-point run and was still ahead 13-6 midway through the quarter when Grinnell rushed back. The Pioneers closed the period with an 11-2 spurt, as Kathryn Stender '21 had two free throws, Kessel a layup, Ahooja a pair of free throws, Aidan Coalson '22 a layup and Sasha Thomas '22 a 3-pointer for a 17-15 Grinnell lead.
 
Waldorf opened the second period with a nine-point run to go ahead 24-17. Grinnell still stayed close, cutting the gap to five points twice including 28-23 on Kessel's 3-pointer with 3:54 left. However, Waldorf scored two baskets down the stretch for a 32-23 halftime lead.
 
The Warriors kept going in the third period and led 48-29 at its conclusion. That was all the cushion they needed as they closed out the win to improve to 2-3.
 
Grinnell plays its first road game of the season Wednesday at Iowa Wesleyan University. Tip-off in Mount Pleasant is 5:30 p.m.