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Gabe Garcia
Meilynn Smith
128
Winner Grinnell GC 2-0,0-0 Midwest Conference
127
Covenant COV 1-1,0-0 CCS
Winner
Grinnell GC
2-0,0-0 Midwest Conference
128
Final
127
Covenant COV
1-1,0-0 CCS
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 OT 1 F
Grinnell GC 60 55 13 128
Covenant COV 54 61 12 127

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Ted Schultz

Pioneer men's basketball wins another thriller with overtime decision over Covenant

GREENVILLE, Ill. - Two thrilling games, two victories for the Grinnell College men's basketball team in its opening games of the 2026-27 campaign.

A day-and-a-half after beating Greenville University by three points, the Pioneers rallied to top Covenant College of Georgia 128-127 in overtime Saturday afternoon. Kai Te Huki '27 scored the game-winner for Grinnell, hitting a 3-pointer with 13 seconds left. The Pioneers prevented a last-ditch shot by Covenant by clamping down on defense and shutting down a drive into the lane as time expired.

Te Huki scored 32 points in the victory and was one of five Pioneers to hit double figures. Gabe Garcia '27 poured in 20 points, Tanner Deal '27 scored 18, Strahinja Nikolic '27 got 13 and Tyler Copes '29 poured in 10.

Te Huki was 7-of-11 from 3-point land and Deal hit 6-of-9 shots from long range. Garcia and Nikolic each grabbed seven rebounds and Brady Schuettpelz '29 added six boards. Garcia also dished out eight assists, while Aidan Wiley '29 and Kingzten Bristol '29 had three and two steals, respectively.

The 2-0 Pioneers broke out to a 60-54 halftime lead and built a 23-point lead midway through the second half when Te Huki's 3-pointer made it 99-76. However, the 1-1 Scots raced back and tied it at 115-all with a jumper with a second left on the clock.

Covenant scored the first five points of the extra period for a 120-115 lead, but Grinnell scratched back into contention and tied it at 124-all on Te Huki's trey with 1:31 on the clock. The Scots made it 127-124 with a 3-pointer with under a minute left, but Garcia's free throw made it a two-point game.

Covenant missed a layup with 31 seconds left and Te Huki made the Scots pay with a trey at the 13-second mark. The Scots were unable to get a shot off in the waning seconds, preserving Grinnell's lead and ultimate victory.

The Pioneers play their 2026-27 home opener Wednesday when Principia College visits Darby Gymnasium. Tip-off is 6 p.m.
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