By: Illinois College led after the first quarter, but the Pioneers went ahead in the second quarter and pulled away late in the game.
Box Score
GRINNELL, Iowa – The Illinois College women's basketball team started off well, but a pair of 7-0 runs in the first half from Grinnell gave the Pioneers a halftime lead and they pulled away in the second half for a 60-50 win on Saturday afternoon. The Lady Blues end their season at 11-12 (8-10 Midwest Conference). The Pioneers qualify for the MWC Tournament with a record of 14-9 (12-6 MWC).
Illinois College took a 15-12 lead at the end of the first quarter. Grinnell started the second quarter on a 7-0 run, but the Lady Blues rallied and took a brief lead after a
Shannen Quehl layup and a three-pointer from
Ashley Hoegger. Another 7-0 run from the Pioneers followed to take a six-point lead before
Brielle Greenleaf hit a late three-pointer to make it a 28-25 game at the half.
Midway through the third quarter, a three-point play from Greenleaf brought the Lady Blues within a point at 32-31, but Grinnell closed the quarter on an 8-2 run to take a 40-33 lead into the final quarter. In the final 10 minutes, Illinois College closed to within three points at 42-39 with 6:15 remaining, but an 8-0 Grinnell run followed and the Pioneers led by double-digits the rest of the way.
Greenleaf scored a game-high 19 points and Quehl ended with a double-double of 13 points and 15 rebounds.
Sydney Lett had five points and five assists. Grinnell was led by Sophia Gatton with 14 points off the bench.
