APPLETON, Wis. – Grinnell College's men's basketball team wrapped up a perfect first weekend to the Midwest Conference slate and got a pair of school records in the process.
 
Vinny Curta '19 set Grinnell career marks for free throws and free throws attempted, and the MWC record for career attempts, in Saturday afternoon's 122-107 win over Lawrence University. That, coupled with Friday's win at Lake Forest College, puts Grinnell at 2-0 in the league and 5-2 overall.
 
Curta was 20-of-24 from the stripe to give him 580 career made free throws and 761 attempts. That breaks the previous Grinnell records of 576 and 743, both by Steve Wood from 2000-04. Wood had also held the MWC record for attempts. Both Curta's number of free throws made and attempted Saturday rank third in program history.
 
Curta finished with 48 points and also registered three steals. Others scoring in double digits were Ky-Sean Johnson '19 with 24 points, Hannes Kogelnik '21 with 17 and Jackson Qualley '22 with 15. Tyler Grumhaus '21 added a career-high five rebounds as well as three assists. Patrick Simms '22 had a career-high three steals, Will Bebee '22 a career-best two blocks and Christian Brookens '22 three assists.
 
Lawrence, 1-1 in the MWC and 3-4 overall, led by six early before Grinnell went on a critical 11-point run. Kogelnik hit a jumper and 3-pointer and Zachary Stice '21 delivered two treys to put the Pioneers ahead 15-10.
 
Later, another 11-point run proved key. Leading 21-19, Grinnell got a layup from Curta and 3-pointers by Stice, Kogelnik and Johnson to lead 32-19. The Pioneers led 60-47 at halftime and never looked back.
 
The Pioneers are in action again Wednesday against Cornell College. Tip-off in Mount Vernon is at 7:30 p.m.