RIPON, Wis. - Entering Saturday afternoon's game, only five players had reached the 2,000-point career milestone in the 119-year history of Grinnell College men's basketball.

That total increased by one, as Vinny Curta '19 scored 23 points in the narrow 111-109 loss at Ripon College. Curta now has 2,010 points in his storied career, sixth-best in Pioneer history, and is just the eighth player in Midwest Conference history to tally 2,000.

Curta also had four assists and four steals in the game, which saw Ripon score the final 15 points to secure the win. Jackson Qualley '22 added 22 points and five rebounds, Zachary Stice '21 had 15 points and Patrick Simms '22 a career-best nine points.

Will Bebee '22 came up with six rebounds as Grinnell moved to 5-2 in the MWC and 9-4 overall. Ripon improved to 4-2 in league play and 8-5 overall.

The first half was close most of the way, with the Pioneers building a seven-point edge at 45-38 on Curta's layup before the hosts rallied to tie things at 58-all by halftime.

Ripon scored the first six points of the second half, but Grinnell came back to tie the game and take an 11-point lead at 92-81 on Qualley's layup with 10:19 left. The Pioneers extended their cushion even further, going up by 14 at 105-91 on Simms' trey.

It was later a 13-point lead when Curta's free throws pushed Grinnell ahead 109-96 with 3:57 left. But after that it was all Ripon, as the hosts scored the remaining points to go ahead. A 3-point try at the buzzer by Grinnell was just off the mark, capping the Red Hawks' win.

The Pioneers are on the road again Tuesday with a contest against Illinois College. Action at Jacksonville, Ill., begins at 7:30 p.m.