The Grinnell College men’s basketball team rallied from a 25-point halftime deficit Saturday and went on to a 112-103 overtime victory over Lawrence University in a Midwest Conference game at Alexander Gymnasium.
Griffin Lentsch scored 26 points to pace Grinnell (9-6, 4-6 MWC) and was one of six Pioneers scoring in double figures. Conor Klusendorf poured in a career-high 35 points to lead Lawrence (8-7, 7-3), and Erik Borresen had a double-double with 25 points and a career-high 18 rebounds.
Lawrence shot 71 percent (22-31) in the first half and rolled to a 60-35 lead at the break.
The Vikings still by 18 at 85-67 with 10:47 left in the second half, but Grinnell went on a 25-7 run over the next seven minutes to tie the score at 92-92 with 3:43 left.
The teams then traded the lead, and Grinnell went up 97-96 on Kale Knisley’s layup with 1:20 left. The score stayed that way until Klusendorf was fouled with 11 seconds left. He made one of two free throws to tie the game and force overtime.
The Pioneers hit their first three shots from the field in the extra period to take a 104-98 lead with 3:43 left. Lawrence got a free throw from Crisman and a dunk from Klusendorf to trim the lead to 104-101 with 3:11 remaining.
Grinnell countered with a three-point play from Dominique Bellamy, and Tyler Crisman answered with a layup for the Vikings to cut the lead to 107-103.
Matt Skelly then hit a jumper for Grinnell, and Crisman missed a 3-pointer for Lawrence. The Vikings were forced to foul, and Grinnell made three free throws in the final 28 seconds to seal the win.
Lawrence returns to action on Wednesday when it hosts St. Norbert College.