GRINNELL, Iowa – Grinnell College's men's basketball team shot out to the early lead, but couldn't withstand a second-half Monmouth College rally as the Pioneers dropped a 99-89 decision Wednesday at Darby Gymnasium.
 
Grinnell's balanced scoring attack was sparked by Jackson Qualley '22, who scored 21 points. Hannes Kogelnik '21 and Aiden Gilbert '23 each added 16 points, with Gilbert's being a career high. Kogelnik also had seven rebounds, while Will Bebee '22 came up with nine boards, three steals and two blocks.
 
Brady Vest '21 contributed a career-high three steals for Grinnell, Zachary Stice '21 had a career-best two blocks and Brad Geiman '21 blocked three shots. Christian Brookens '22 distributed five assists, a career high.
 
Grinnell is 3-2 in the Midwest Conference and 7-5 overall, while Monmouth improved to 3-2 in the league and 8-4 in all games.
 
After falling behind 10-4 to open the game, the Pioneers caught fire with a 14-point spurt. Bebee began things with a layup, Gilbert sank two free throws and Stice drained a trey to put Grinnell up by a point. Gilbert continued the surge with two layups and Qualley connected on a 3-pointer for an 18-10 lead.
 
The Pioneers twice went up by 11, the final time on Qualley's trey with 4:13 left, before Monmouth rallied within 45-41 by halftime.
 
After going up by six twice in the second half, the Pioneers saw their cushion evaporate as Monmouth grasped the lead. Grinnell got its final lead at 58-56 with 13:48 left on Jake Benhart's '22 3-pointer, but Monmouth answered with a 7-0 run and never trailed again.
 
The Pioneers entertain Ripon College Saturday in Darby Gym. Tip-off is at 1 p.m.