Big first half propels Grinnell over Vikings

GRINNELL, Iowa — The Grinnell College men’s basketball team dominated the final 10 minutes of the first half Saturday and rode that to a 129-91 Midwest Conference victory over Lawrence University at Darby Gymnasium.

Grinnell led 27-21 with 10:21 left in the opening half, but the Pioneers outscored Lawrence 43-25 to build a 70-46 lead at the break. The Vikings never threatened a comeback in the second half.

Sean Cullinane led seven Grinnell players in double figures with 23 points. The Pioneers (11-6, 8-4 MWC) also went 38-for-43 from the foul line as Lawrence was whistled for 34 fouls and committed 38 turnovers.

Mitch Willer had a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds to pace Lawrence (7-9, 7-5). Jeremy Stephani, Pete Winslow, Ben Peterson and Abhishek Venkatesh had 13 points apiece for the Vikings.

After a pair of Venkatesh free throws cut the lead to 27-21, Grinnell hit five of its next six shots from the floor to stretch the margin to 41-25. The Pioneers then went on a 13-4 run to push the lead to 54-29 and would maintain that margin to the break.

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