GRINNELL, Iowa – Grinnell College made not one, but two big charges in its women's basketball contest with the University of Northwestern-St. Paul.
 
However, the Eagles withstood both and escaped Darby Gymnasium with a 70-64 non-conference win Friday night. Grinnell led by four in the first period before the visitors rallied for a 20-13 lead by the end. They increased the lead to 15 points in the second period before going into the locker room with a 39-28 cushion.
 
Grinnell was still down by 12 midway through the third period before going to work with a 13-1 run. Sofia Ahooja '22 drained a 3-pointer before Northwestern got a free throw. Kate Tomczik '22 sank two free throws, Ahooja hit a layup, Hanna Kessel '19 converted a jumper and Tomczik and Tyria Heath '21 each scored from close range to tie it at 47-all with 1:10 left.
 
Northwestern made a free throw before the end of the period for a one-point edge. The visitors continued to roll, going up by 17 points at 66-49 with 3:24 left.
 
But the Pioneers were anything but done as they made a furious 15-1 run. Tomczik and Heath each hit two free throws, Kessel made a 3-pointer and Ahooja cashed in on a traditional three-point play to make it 66-59 with 31 seconds left. After Northwestern made a free throw, Ahooja sank a 3-pointer with 21 seconds remaining to make it a 67-62 game.
 
However, Northwestern sank two critical free throws 8 seconds later to close out the win and improve to 4-6. Grinnell, 3-7, got a career-high 15 points from Tomczik, 14 from Heath and a career-best 11 by Ahooja. Kessel and Sasha Thomas '22 each had career highs with three steals and three assists, respectively. Daria Guzzo '19 and Ahooja each added two steals.
 
Grinnell closes out its pre-holiday slate Sunday when Illinois College visits Darby Gymnasium for a Midwest Conference game. Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m.