GRINNELL, Iowa – Grinnell College's women's basketball team worked its way to a 39-33 halftime lead, but saw Nebraska Wesleyan University post a big rally to earn a 68-56 win at Darby Gymnasium Saturday afternoon.
 
Grinnell (2-2) rode a balanced scoring attack that saw Nicole Ware '25 score 14 points, Aiyana Rockwell '24 pour in 12 and Erin Lillis '24 tally 10.
 
Kate Tomczik '22 led Grinnell in rebounds with seven, while Ware had three assists and five steals. Sofia Ahooja '22 and Rockwell each had three steals and Rockwell a block.
 
Grinnell came out on fire early, bolting out to a 10-point lead as Aidan Coalson's '22 free throw made it 17-7 midway through the first period. The Prairie Wolves rallied, though, and the Pioneers were up 23-20 after one frame.
 
Grinnell took off in the second period, though, going up by 12 at 34-22 on a layup by Lillis and later by 13 as a layup by Tomczik made it 39-26. But again Nebraska Wesleyan (2-0) rallied and closed within 39-33 by halftime.
 
The Prairie Wolves used a big third period to take command and carried that over into the fourth.
 
Grinnell opens Midwest Conference action Saturday when Lake Forest College visits Darby Gymnasium. Tip-off is slated for 5 p.m.