JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – Illinois College suffered a cold shooting day from 3pt. range and Grinnell took advantage to post a 95-89 win in a Midwest Conference showdown before a full house Saturday at Sherman Gymnasium.
The loss dropped IC to 17-3 overall and 9-2 in the league. The Pioneers improved to 15-4 and 9-2. The Blueboys went 0-for-16 from 3pt. range in the contest.
Buzz Ritzel led the Blueboys with 28 points while
Josh Harris and
Jake Mazrimas each added 16. Mazrimas contributed 11 rebounds as well.
Austin Robinson came off the bench to score 11 points and grabbed nine rebounds.
Jahkeis Tippett had 10 points while
Nestor Daboin had 14 rebounds.
Grinnell led for the entire first half until IC was able to tie the game at 44 after
Ty Lenhardt hit a free throw with 30 seconds left. The teams went into the break tied at 44.
The Pioneers opened the second half with a surge and led by eight (54-46) just two minutes in. IC began to fight back and took its first lead of the game at 58-57 with 14:30 to play. The Blueboys were able to regain the lead at 71-70 with 8:53 to go but it would be their last lead of the day.
The Grinnell lead grew to as much as 12 with (93-81) with 3:18 to go. IC made one last run but could get no closer than four before the final buzzer.
IC will be back in action Wednesday when Monmouth comes to Sherman Gymnasium for a 5:30 p.m. Midwest Conference game.
