GRINNELL, Iowa – A fast start Monday night put the Grinnell College women's basketball team into territory it hasn't seen for a decade-and-a-half.
For the first time since the 2005-06 campaign, the Pioneers began a season with a 2-0 record after shaking off Central College 80-66 at Darby Gymnasium. The win was Grinnell's first over Central since 2015, snapping a four-game losing streak to the Dutch.
Grinnell took command from the opening tip, bolting out to a 17-2 lead and never looking back. In just her second collegiate action,
Erin Lillis '24 just missed a double-double with a game-high 26 points and eight rebounds.
Kate Tomczik '22 added 17 points and her three free throws pushed her career total to 136, 20
th all-time at Grinnell.
Sofia Ahooja '22 added eight points and three assists, giving her 147 in the latter department. That ranks 18
th all-time at Grinnell.
Aiyana Rockwell '24 also had eight points to go along with three blocks.
Nicole Ware '25 came up with four steals and Ahooja two. Ware added four assists, as well, while
Aidan Coalson '22 moved up to 18
th on Grinnell's career blocked shots chart with 32.
The Pioneers shot 52.9 percent from the field in the opening quarter while building a 21-14 lead. Tomczik made two jumpers and two free throws as the Pioneers went up 6-2. That was followed by a 3-pointer by
Sophie Delaney '25 and consecutive short-range baskets by Ahooja, Rockwell, Lillis and Ahooja again as Grinnell made it 17-2 with 5:36 left in the opening period.
After Central cut it to seven by the end of the period, Grinnell went up by as many as 16 in the second before heading into halftime with a 47-36 cushion. The Pioneers led 63-54 after three quarters before the Dutch made one final charge, closing the gap to seven.
But Lillis countered with a 3-pointer and Ahooja a jumper to push the lead to 70-58 and Grinnell cruised from there.
The Pioneers will attempt to start a season with three wins for the first time since the 2002-03 campaign when they play at Rockford University Wednesday. Tip-off is 5:30 p.m.