Grinnell men's basketball team takes early lead before falling to Coe

Box Score CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Grinnell College's men's basketball team got out to an early lead, but Coe College rallied for a 117-101 victory in the season opener for both teams Saturday afternoon.

The Pioneers featured a balanced scoring attack, with Jake Benhart '22 tallying 19 points in his collegiate debut with the aid of 6-of-8 shooting from the field. Jackson Qualley '22 added 17 points, Hannes Kogelnik '21 scored 14 and Patrick Simms '22 scored 12.

Will Dubow '21 led the charge in rebounds with eight, Noah Bumanglag dished out four assists and Simms came up with four steals. Brad Geiman '21 blocked two shots.

Grinnell led for the first part of the first half, turning a five-point cushion into its biggest lead of nine when Geiman scored in the paint as did Kogelnik for a 32-23 lead with 9:58 left. But Coe gradually rallied and took the lead, stretching it to 56-44 by halftime.

The Kohawks went up by as many as 16 early in the second half and retained control until the Pioneers made one final surge. Trailing by 10, Qually scored on a fast break layup and sank two free throws before Benhart scored just outside the paint to bring Grinnell within 81-77 with 9:24 to play.

However, the Kohawks answered with a 9-3 run and never let the Pioneers closer than nine the rest of the way.

The Pioneers open their home slate Tuesday when another American Rivers Conference team, Wartburg College, visits Darby Gymnasium. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#23 Will Dubow: F; 6' 7"; Junior

#44 Brad Geiman: F; 6' 8"; Junior

#2 Hannes Kogelnik: G; 6' 7"; Junior

#4 Jackson Qualley: G; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#21 Patrick Simms: G; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#15 Noah Bumanglag: G; 5' 9"; First-Year

Players Mentioned

#23 Will Dubow
: 6' 7"; Junior
: F

#44 Brad Geiman
: 6' 8"; Junior
: F

#2 Hannes Kogelnik
: 6' 7"; Junior
: G

#4 Jackson Qualley
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: G

#21 Patrick Simms
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: G

#15 Noah Bumanglag
: 5' 9"; First-Year
: G