LINCOLN, Neb. - A lengthy layoff didn't hurt the Grinnell College women's basketball team in the slightest as the Pioneers rolled Nebraska Wesleyan University 58-40 in a non-conference matchup on the final day of the 2025 calendar year Wednesday afternoon.

Juniper Schwartzman '27 was a monster on the boards for Grinnell, grabbing a career-high 19 rebounds. That figure ranks eighth in program history.

As a team, Grinnell tallied a season-best 57 rebounds while limiting the Prairie Wolves to just 29 boards.

The 18-point margin of victory is Grinnell's largest ever at Nebraska Wesleyan and the second-highest overall.

Skylar Thomas '26 led the way for Grinnell in scoring with 15 points, while Nora Lynch '28 and Kelsey Ericksen '26 had six points apiece. Thomas and Reese Stevens '27 both had six rebounds each as did Bailey Strovers '27, who marked a successful return to the court from injury in her first action of the season. Lynch led the way in assists for Grinnell with five.

The 5-7 Pioneers led 10-8 after one period before opening up things with an 18-11 scoring edge in the second frame. Thomas scored to begin the second quarter, followed by a bucket by the 3-9 Prairie Wolves.

Ericksen then connected on a bomb from beyond the arc and Thomas scored to push the visitors ahead 17-10. Following a Nebraska Wesleyan trey, Lynch and Ava Wu '19 each drained 3-pointers to make it a 23-13 edge.

Grinnell was ahead 28-19 at halftime and increased its lead to 43-31 by the end of three quarters on its way to the convincing victory.

The Pioneers are off until Jan. 10 when they jump back into Midwest Conference play with a home date against Lawrence University. Tip-off at Darby Gymnasium is slated for 3 p.m.