GRINNELL, Iowa - Facing an always-difficult foe Tuesday night in the form of Illinois College, Grinnell College's men's basketball team was up to the task.

The Pioneers were awarded a free throw on a technical foul even before the game began, and Sean Murphy '26 obliged by sinking the shot.

That marked the sign of good things to come as the Pioneers rolled up a 100-93 victory at Darby Gymnasium to draw even with Monmouth College for the Midwest Conference lead.

At 12-1 in the MWC and 17-3 overall, Grinnell is off to its best start since the 2011-2 season. The Pioneers, who shot a season-low 18.2 percent from 3-point land, have won 15 of their last 16 games, with only one loss since mid-November.

Illinois College, trying to qualify for the MWC Tourney - an event in which the Pioneers have already punched their ticket - fell to 7-6 in the league and 10-12 in all games.

After Murphy's opening free throw, Illinois College got a bucket only to see Grinnell's Tyler Copes '29 counter with two baskets and John Vincent '26 two free throws to put the Pioneers ahead 7-2.

They continued to roll from there, going up by 12 at 20-8 on Murphy's layup with 12:03 left. But the Blueboys raced back into contention, slicing the gap to one on a pair of occasions. Later, nursing a 36-33 lead, Grinnell opened things up with a seven-point run that included a free throw by Kai Te Huki '27, trey from Murphy, one free throw by Sean Walser '26 and two by Tanner Deal '27 for a 43-33 cushion. Grinnell took a 52-46 lead into intermission.

Grinnell stretched its lead on several occasions in the second half, only to see the visitors jump back into contention. The Pioneers delivered the final blow in the waning minutes. Leading 91-89, Nick Lundy '27 converted a layup and Zach Rosen '26 followed with a steal and was fouled. He made a free throw, pushing the lead to 94-89. After a Blueboy miss, Nick Courtney '26 was fouled and made both free throws to stretch the lead to 96-89 with 1:54 left. 

When Blueboys closed within 96-93 in the final minute, Gabe Garcia '27 scored on a breakaway layup with 42 seconds left and the Pioneers thwarted a trio of Illinois College trey attempts. Walser secured the victory with a pair of free throws with 17 ticks left for a 98-93 edge.

Copes was a big force for Grinnell, finishing with 15 points, eight boards, four blocks and three steals. He now ranks 14th in program history with 44 blocks. Also in double-digit scoring were Garcia and Lundy with 12 points apiece and Te Huki with 10. Courtney also had eight rebounds for Grinnell, Garcia dished out six assists and Murphy added three steals.

Grinnell has another big game Saturday, playing Lake Forest College on the Foresters' floor. Game time is 1 p.m.