MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa – After opening the season with three home games, the Grinnell College women's basketball team faced the challenge of its first road contest.
 
The Pioneers rose to that challenge, using a huge third period to rally past Iowa Wesleyan University 51-47 Wednesday. Grinnell outscored the Tigers 22-9 in the pivotal quarter to improve to 2-2. The Tigers dipped to 0-3.
 
Sasha Thomas '22 scored 15 points for Grinnell with the aid of 4-of-9 shooting from 3-point land. Sofia Ahooja '22 added a career-high 10 points, while Tyria Heath '21 and Daria Guzzo '19 each grabbed nine rebounds. Heath's total was a career best. Ahooja and Hanna Kessel '19 each had career highs of three steals apiece and Kate Tomczik '22 blocked two shots.
 
Grinnell was ahead 9-6 after one period, but Iowa Wesleyan came back to lead 22-16 by halftime. That's when the Pioneers came to life as Thomas drained a trey and Heath added a traditional three-point play to tie the contest at 22-all with 9:37 left in the third period.
 
After Iowa Wesleyan scored five straight, the Pioneers charged again. Thomas hit another 3-pointer, Tomczik connected on a pair of free throws and Aidan Coalson '22 hit a jumper to put Grinnell up 29-27.
 
Iowa Wesleyan again tied it before Grinnell delivered the decisive blow, a 9-0 run. Ahooja made two free throws and layup and Olivia Woolam '21 contributed a layup and 3-pointer to put the Pioneers ahead 38-29 with 1:08 left in the period.
 
The Tigers scored at the end of the period to trail 38-31, but Grinnell opened the fourth quarter with jumpers by Thomas and Guzzo for a 42-31 lead. Iowa Wesleyan made one final charge, coming within four at 44-40 with 3:28 left. But Tomczik made two free throws after that and Ahooja another to put the Pioneers ahead 47-40 with 2:26 left. Grinnell's defense clamped down from there to secure the win.
 
The Pioneers entertain Nebraska Wesleyan University Saturday at Darby Gymnasium. Game time is 3 p.m.