By: Illinois College held a rebounding advantage and shot more than 60 percent from the floor, but the Blueboys also committed 31 turnovers and Grinnell was able to bomb 24 three-pointers in a 129-105 win.
Box Score
GRINNELL, Iowa - The Illinois College men's basketball team committed 31 turnovers on Saturday afternoon, negating a rebounding advantage and better than 60 percent shooting from the floor in a 129-105 loss to Grinnell College. The Blueboys are now 7-14 (2-12 Midwest Conference) on the season.
Grinnell built an 18-point halftime lead by nailing 11 three-pointers and forcing 19 turnovers from the Blueboys in the opening 20 minutes.
Cody Hildebrand hit a three-pointer to give Illinois College a 15-12 lead in the early minutes of the game, but the Pioneers hit back with a 13-0 run before Hildebrand could score again. Vinny Curta had 25 of his eventual 45 points in the first half, and Hannes Kogelnik added 17 to put the Pioneers ahead, 67-49, at halftime.
A fast start to the second half from Illinois College got the Blueboys to within nine points of Grinnell after five minutes, but the Pioneers can score in bunches, and the lead soon grew back where it had been in the first half as Grinnell connected on another 13 three-pointers in the second half. Grinnell led by double-digits the majority of the way and grew the lead as time ticked down.
Max Stutsman ended with a team-high 28 points before fouling out late in the game.
Mason Speer ended with 19 points and eight assists, while
Cody Hildebrand came off the bench for 13. Curta added nine assists in addition to his 45 points and Kogelnik ended with 32 points for Grinnell.Â
Illinois College returns home on Feb. 7, hosting Beloit College at 5:30 p.m.
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