GRINNELL, Iowa – Grinnell College's women's basketball team returned to its winning ways in thrilling fashion Sunday afternoon, slipping past Waldorf University 74-70 at Darby Gymnasium.
 
Erin Lillis '24 led a charge of four players in double figures, and Bailey Strovers '27 posted a double-double as Grinnell improved to 2-2.
 
Lillis finished with 18 points, Sara Booher '25 added 14 points and eight boards, Nikki Ware '25 scored 12 points and Strovers tallied 12 points and 13 rebounds.
 
Lillis, Reese Stephens '27 and Skylar Thomas '26 each dished out two assists, Booher blocked a pair of shots and Ware came up with three steals.
 
The teams were tied 22-all after one period before Grinnell took off for a 45-38 halftime lead. Waldorf, which is 3-2, rallied for an 18-10 edge in the third frame to take a 56-55 lead into the final stanza.
 
Booher opened the fourth quarter with a layup to give Grinnell a lead it would never relinquish. Lillis followed with two free throws to make it a 59-56 game.
 
Five times, Waldorf would cut the gap to one but the Pioneers always had an answer.
 
After a Warriors' basket with 18 seconds left made it a 70-69 game, Ware was fouled and calmly sank both charity tosses. The Warriors then got a free throw, but Strovers grabbed a key rebound after the second was off the mark.
 
She was fouled with 8 ticks left and made both shots for a 74-70 lead. Waldorf had two shots after that, but neither fell as Grinnell walked away with the victory.
 
The Pioneers are on the road Tuesday to play Buena Vista University in Storm Lake. Tip-off is 6 p.m.