GRINNELL, Iowa – Grinnell College's men's basketball team bounced back from a two-game losing streak in a tremendous way Saturday, rolling over Lawrence University 137-99 at Darby Gymnasium.
 
The Pioneers' hustle lifted them to their sixth win in a row over Lawrence, dating back to the 2013-14 season. Additionally, Grinnell has won eight in a row against the Vikings at Darby going back to the 2009 MWC Tournament championship game.
 
Vinny Curta '19 and Ky-Sean Johnson '19 bolstered Grinnell with 36 and 28 points, respectively, with each hitting 10-of-11 free throws. Johnson also had a career-high five assists as well as three steals.
 
Hannes Kogelnik '21 added 17 points, while Nathan Balcom '18, Andrew Redhead '18 and Tyler Grumhaus '21 each had four rebounds. Those totals proved to be a career-high for both Redhead and Grumhaus. Grinnell was 22-of-55 from 3-point land for a 40 percent success rate.
 
Grinnell is now 2-2 in the Midwest Conference and 7-2 overall, while the Vikings fell to 2-2 in the league and 5-2 in all games.
 
Lawrence led in the early portion of the game before Grinnell rallied. With the Vikings up 15-14, the Pioneers went on a critical 14-4 run to put some cushion between the teams.
 
Kogelnik had a 3-pointer to open the spurt, Ikaika Phillip '18 added a free throw and layup, Johnson and Curta each got 3-pointers and Curta a layup for a 28-19 Pioneer lead with 9:40 left in the first half.
 
Lawrence had one last surge, coming within 35-31 a few minutes later. That's when Grinnell went on a 13-2 run as Gus King '18, Jackson Breshears '21 and Grumhaus all had 3-pointers, and Zack Stice '21 added a layup and Curta two free throws for a 48-33 lead.
 
The Pioneers led 65-47 at intermission and cruised from there.
 
Grinnell is off until Dec. 30 when Iowa Conference power Nebraska Wesleyan visits Darby Gymnasium. Game time is 4 p.m.