GRINNELL, Iowa – Grinnell College grabbed the early lead, but couldn't sustain it as Emmaus Bible College rallied for an 80-76 victory over the Pioneers in women's basketball action Tuesday night.
 
Two Pioneers had career nights in the team's home opener at Darby Gymnasium, as Tyria Heath '21 poured in a career best 25 points and Aidan Coalson '22 added career highs of 12 rebounds and four blocks.
 
Also scoring in double digits for Grinnell were Sofia Ahooja '22 and Kathryn Stender '21 with 13 points each. Ahooja added four assists and three steals, while Heath came up with two steals.
 
The Pioneers, who did much of their damage from the free throw line by making 28-of-41 shots, are now 1-2 on the season while Emmaus improved to 3-4.
 
Stender's 3-pointer 21 seconds into the game gave the Pioneers a lead they would never relinquish during the first quarter. Twice the Pioneers went up by six points, the first time at 12-6 on Heath's free throws and again at 22-16 when Annie Filkins '23 drained a 3-pointer in the waning seconds of the period.
 
However, Emmaus rallied and the teams battled on close terms the second period which saw a 37-all deadlock entering halftime.
 
Stender's free throw to start the third period gave Grinnell a lead which it held until the 5:48 mark of the period. After that, Emmaus took control and was up 63-58 heading into the final stanza.
 
Grinnell fell behind by eight to start the fourth period, but gradually came back and made it a two-point gap at 68-66 on Coalson's traditional three-point play with 6:33 left.
 
The Pioneers closed within two three other times, as well, including 72-70 on Heath's layup and 75-73 on Stender's trey with :53 left. After Emmaus scored three points, Claire Collier '21 delivered on a 3-pointer with :03 left to bring Grinnell within 78-76.
 
However, Emmaus made two free throws with under a second left to secure the win.
 
Grinnell is back in action Saturday at Northwestern University in St. Paul, Minn. Tip-off is at 3 p.m.