GRINNELL, Iowa – After losing its first Midwest Conference game of the season earlier in the week, Grinnell College's men's basketball team responded in dominating fashion.
 
The Pioneers posted their largest-ever margin of victory over Ripon College Saturday at Darby Gymnasium, blowing out the Red Hawks 109-71. The 38-point win is the biggest in the 123-game series that dates back to 1940.
 
Grinnell (6-1 MWC, 11-3 overall) had a hot shooting performance by making 51.3 percent of its tries from the field. The Pioneers featured a balanced scoring attack led by 14-point efforts from Nick Lundy '27, Kai Te Huki '27 and Tyler Copes '29. Te Huki now ranks 14^th in program history with 1,461 points.
 
Gabe Garcia '27 poured in 11 points for Grinnell and Strahinja Nikolic '27 added 10. Copes and Luka Pinto '29 each had six boards, while Garcia and Zach Rosen '26 dished out six assists each. Rosen had three steals and Garcia a pair. Rosen now ranks 13^th in program history with 142 steals and Nick Courtney '26 is 14^th with 134.
 
A big run early led the Pioneers to victory. With the game tied 4-all, Nikolic sank a 3-pointer, Lundy made a jumper, Courtney drove for a layup and Tanner Deal '27 and Lundy each hit treys to make it a 16-4 lead.
 
Later in the half, Ripon (3-5 MWC, 3-14 overall) closed within 41-35 only to see the hosts close with an 8-2 run that included 3-balls form Deal and Kingzten Bristol '29 and a pair of free throws by Garcia for a 49-37 halftime lead.
 
The Pioneers rolled from there, outscoring the visitors 60-34 in the second half.
 
Grinnell is on the road Wednesday to face Knox College in Galesburg, Ill. Tip-off is 5:30 p.m.