GRINNELL, Iowa – Tuesday night's win proved to be a block party – literally – for the Grinnell College women's basketball team.
The Pioneers blocked 11 shots, the fifth-best total in program history, and scored a school-record 28 points in the second period on their way to an 84-59 win over Iowa Wesleyan University at Darby Gymnasium.
Tyria Heath '21 continued her impressive campaign with a game-high 26 points for the 3-3 Pioneers. Sofia Ahooja '22 added career highs of 19 points and six assists, while Kathryn Stender '21 scored 13 points.
Other career highs were achieved by Ellie Gubbrud '22 (10 rebounds and four blocks), Stender (four assists) and Heath (four blocks).
The outcome was never in doubt, as the Pioneers broke out to a 12-0 lead. Kate Tomczik '22 kicked things off with two layups, Stender scored from close range and Heath made back-to-back 3-pointers for the 12-point edge just three minutes into the game.
Iowa Wesleyan got as close as seven before the Pioneers again took off, grabbing a 21-9 lead by the end of the period as Ahooja finished with a traditional three-point play.
The Pioneers kept rolling in the second period, taking a 44-28 halftime lead. They delivered the crushing blow in the third period, outscoring the visitors 28-14 to break the school record for points in a quarter by one. In the big period, the Pioneers were 60 percent from the field and made all seven of their free throws while taking a 74-42 lead.
Grinnell kept at it in the fourth period while sending Iowa Wesleyan to a 0-5 mark.
Grinnell is back in Darby next Wednesday to open Midwest Conference play against Cornell College. Action begins at 7:30 p.m.