GRINNELL, Iowa – After opening the season with three consecutive losses, the Grinnell College men's basketball team is on a roll.
The Pioneers posted their third victory in a row Tuesday night, blowing past Westminster College 139-94 at Darby Gymnasium.
The Pioneers blocked 10 shots in the game, the eighth-best mark in program history, while moving to 3-3. Westminster dipped to 1-5.
Patrick Simms '22 scored 31 points for Grinnell and hit 6-of-8 shots from 3-point land. The 75 percent accuracy rate on 3-pointers ranks 10th in program history for a game. Simms also had a career-best seven assists.
Jackson Qualley '22 added a career-high 30 points, while Christian Brookens '22, Zachary Stice '21 and Jake Benhart '22 had 11 each. Brookens' total is a career best.
Will Bebee '22 grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds and also blocked four shots. Brad Geiman '21 added two blocks, while Qualley came up with four steals and Jackson Breshears '21 three.
The Pioneers bolted out to a 13-2 lead. Qualley began the run with two layups and Simms drained a 3-pointer to make it 7-0.
After a Westminster basket, Qualley converted consecutive layups and Geiman had two free throws and it was an 11-point lead not even three minutes into the game.
Westminster gradually crept back, though, and made it a two-point game at 25-23 when the Pioneers answered with an 11-2 run. Brookens began the spurt with two free throws, Simms had a layup, Qualley and Geiman 3-pointers and Aiden Gilbert '23 a free throw for a 36-25 edge.
The Pioneers continued to roll and were up 60-43 at halftime before outscoring the Blue Jays 79-51 in the second stanza.
Grinnell opens up Midwest Conference play at home next Wednesday when Cornell College visits Darby Gymnasium. Game time is 5:30 p.m.