GRINNELL, Iowa – Though just a few games into the season, Grinnell College's performance Wednesday night required a postgame look through the team's all-time records.
 
In the Pioneers' 153-97 victory over Spurgeon College at Darby Gymnasium, Grinnell hit 55 field goals and 31 shots from 3-point land, both eighth-best in program history. Their 38 assists rank sixth all-time at Grinnell.
 
Grinnell hit 53.4 percent of its field goal tries and was a steady 31-of-68 from beyond the arc.
 
Jackson Leone '25 and David Bluder '25 were a big part of the offensive firepower, connecting for 28 and 25 points, respectively. Leone was 8-of-12 from 3-point range and Bluder hit 7-of-12 shots.
 
Patrick Simms '22 contributed a double-double for Grinnell (2-1) with a career-high 11 assists to go with 11 points. Adam Phillips '23 tied a career-high with 21 points, Aiden Gilbert '23 had 19 and Morgan Walser '22 scored a career-best 10.
 
Walser also had a game-high three steals and Tommy Smith '22 grabbed a career-best 10 rebounds. Smith also blocked four shots and Will Bebee '22 had three blocks.
 
The game was close early but changed quickly, thanks in large part to the offensive storm. With Grinnell ahead 21-19, Bebee hit a layup and Walser and Phillips consecutive treys to push the hosts up by 10.
 
Spurgeon (0-6) hung around, though, and trailed by seven when another burst by Grinnell all but put the game out of reach. Ahead 49-42, Leone and Phillips made treys for Grinnell to put the score at 55-42. After a layup by Spurgeon, Gilbert made a 3-pointer, Phillips added two and Bluder a close-range shot to put the Pioneers up 66-44.
 
Grinnell was ahead 73-53 at halftime and continued to roll in the final frame, outscoring Spurgeon 80-44.
 
The Pioneers are back at Darby Gymnasium Saturday when Lincoln Christian University comes calling for a 1 p.m. test.