GC men's basketball team prepares to battle Beloit in Midwest Conference Tourney

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. - The rubber match is on.

After splitting games during the regular season, Grinnell College will face Beloit College in the opening round of the 2024 Midwest Conference Men's Basketball Tournament Friday night.

The 7 p.m. game featuring the second-seeded Pioneers and third-seeded Buccaneers will be preceded by a matchup between No. 1 seed Illinois College and fourth-seeded Ripon College. Illinois College is the host of the two-day event.

The semifinal winners meet at 3 p.m. Saturday, with that winner earning the league's automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Tournament.

The Pioneers toppled the Buccaneers 108-93 on Jan. 10 in Grinnell, but Beloit returned the favor with a 117-97 win at home last Wednesday.

Grinnell features the nation's top scorer in Kai Te Huki '27, who is averaging 25.8 points in MWC play. Teammate Gabe Garcia '27 is 10th with a 15.6 per game average and ranks third in assists with 3.4 a contest. Zach Rosen '26 ranks third in steals (1.7) and Tolu Johnson '25 is fourth in blocked shots (1.1).

Azeez Ganiyu is Beloit's top scorer in MWC games with a 14.1 per game average and ranks second in the league in rebounds at 9.2 and blocks with 1.6. Clayton Jenny is the team leader in assists with 3.0 a game.

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Players Mentioned

#2 Tolu Johnson: G/F; 6' 5"; Junior

#15 Zach Rosen: G; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#10 Gabe Garcia: G; 6' 1"; First-Year

#11 Kai Te Huki: F; 6' 6"; First-Year

Players Mentioned

#2 Tolu Johnson
: 6' 5"; Junior
: G/F

#15 Zach Rosen
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: G

#10 Gabe Garcia
: 6' 1"; First-Year
: G

#11 Kai Te Huki
: 6' 6"; First-Year
: F