GRINNELL, IA – It may have been 10 degrees below zero to start the day, but sizzling three-point shooting from the Grinnell men's basketball heated up Darby Gym on their way to a 116-61 victory over Knox.
With the win, Grinnell avenged an 84-80 first-semester loss at Knox to push its current winning streak to five straight, including four in a row versus Midwest Conference foes.Â
In the first half hot three-point shooting set the tone for Grinnell as it jumped on Knox with a pair of treys by
David Bluder in the first three minutes. Grinnell pushed the lead to 19-4 at 14:00 and 28-9 midway through the half. Knox drew within 15 points, 28-13, before the Pioneers exploded for 30 points to close out the half, 58-24.Â
In the first stanza the home team poured in 11 total three-pointers to go with 46% field goal shooting. Grinnell also forced Knox into 18 turnovers.
In the second stanza the teams traded buckets before Grinnell expanded its lead to 82-36 with 13:00 and 91-40 with 10:00 left, and then it went deep into its bench while cruising to victory.
For the night, Grinnell knocked down 22 three-pointers on 49 attempts for 45%, and they hit 45% of their overall field goals. Defensively Grinnell forced 30 turnovers led by
Dean Mazlish who grabbed 3 steals.
Adam Phillips led the scoring with 21 points on 7 of 13 shooting from three. Patrick Sims put together his usual steady line with 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Bluder and Mazlish both tallied 12 points while
Morgan Walser and
Aiden Gilbert were in double figures with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Next up for Grinnell is a trip to Illinois College this Saturday. The Blueboys sit right next to Grinnell in the Midwest Conference standings.
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