GRINNELL, Iowa – There was no post-Thanksgiving lag for the Grinnell College men's basketball team Sunday afternoon, as the Pioneers nearly set the school scoring record in a 177-129 win over Wright State-Lake at Darby Gymnasium.
Grinnell's point total was the second most in program history and just two shy of the record. Additionally, Grinnell's 59 field goals rank second all-time at Grinnell and the 31 3-pointers are eighth.
Hannes Kogelnik '21 had a career day for the Pioneers, tallying all-time highs of 42 points and 12 3-pointers as Grinnell improved to 3-2. Vinny Curta '19 added 32 points, Ky-Sean Johnson '19 had 22, Jackson Qualley '22 put in 21 and Tyler Grumhaus '21 scored 12.
Qualley also had a career-high six assists and Will Bebee '22 added career highs of eight rebounds and three steals. Griffin Boehm '19 added seven rebounds and Brad Geiman '21 blocked three shots.
The Lakers, who are 3-11, jumped out to a 4-0 lead before the Pioneers reeled off eight straight points as Curta made a layup, Zachary Stice '21 hit a 3-pointer and Morgan Walser '21 added another trey.
It was still a four-point lead before the Pioneers all but put the game away with an 18-3 run. Kogelnik began the run with a pair of 3-pointers and Qualley another for a 38-25 lead. After the Lakers hit a 3-pointer, Grumhaus and Johnson both made treys and Geiman converted a traditional three-point play for a 47-28 lead with 9:52 left in the first half. The Pioneers were ahead 86-57 at halftime and sailed to victory from there.
Grinnell opens Midwest Conference play Friday at Lake Forest College. Tip-off is 7:30 p.m.