GRINNELL, Iowa — The Grinnell College women’s basketball team turned back a second-half rally from Lawrence University on Saturday and went on to a 63-48 Midwest Conference victory at Darby Gymnasium.
Alissa Hirsh led Grinnell (4-6, 3-3 MWC) with 18 points, and Alex Neckopulos had a double-double for the Pioneers with 10 points and 15 rebounds.
Danelle Buck led Lawrence (0-9, 0-5) with 12 points, and Andrea Wilkinson added 10 points and a team-best eight rebounds.
Grinnell built a 15-point lead in the first half, but the Vikings chipped away by outscoring the Pioneers 16-10 over the final 9:31 of the first half.
The Pioneers led 35-26 at the break, but Lawrence scored the first seven points of the second half to trim the margin to 35-33. Elizabeth Arco had a three-point play, and Buck scored back-to-back baskets, the second with 15:52 left, to cut the lead to two.
Grinnell responded with a 10-0 run of its own to retake control of the game. Sophia Gatton’s 3-pointer with 13:25 left gave the Pioneers a 45-33 advantage, but the Vikings fought back.
The Vikings countered by going on an 11-5 run, with the final six points coming on consecutive baskets from Wilkinson, to cut the lead to 50-44 with 9:24 left.
It was still a six-point game after Fanita Robins’ layup for the Vikings cut the margin to 54-48 with 3:06 left. Grinnell then scored the game’s final nine points to seal the victory.