GRINNELL, Iowa – Though the score was lopsided, it could be said the Grinnell College men's basketball team "stole" a victory from Knox College Saturday afternoon.
 
The Pioneers collected 30 steals in the game, the second-best mark in program history, on their way to a 129-61 win over the Prairie Fire at Darby Gymnasium. The win keeps Grinnell perfect in the Midwest Conference at 4-0 while moving to 7-2 overall and winning for the fourth consecutive outing. Knox dipped to 0-4 in the MWC and 1-8 in all games.
 
Vinny Curta '19 led the way for Grinnell, converting a double-double with 27 points and 10 assists to go along with five rebounds. Hannes Kogelnik '21 added 24 points, Ky-Sean Johnson '13 had 17 and Zachary Stice '21 and Anthony Gulve '20 each scored 11. Gulve's was a career high.
 
Brad Geiman '21 had five of Grinnell's eight blocks, while Will Bebee '22 tallied two. Geiman and Gulve also had career-highs of four steals each, while Jackson Qualley '22 had a career-best three steals. Johnson and Griffin Boehm '19 had three steals, too.
 
The game was never in question. Trailing 4-3 early, the Pioneers broke away with a 14-2 run. Geiman began it with a dunk, Morgan Walser '21 nailed a 3-pointer and Gulve a layup for a 10-4 edge. After Knox scored, Curta made a free throw, Johnson drained a trey and Curta converted a traditional three-point play for a 17-6 cushion.
 
Grinnell cruised from there, tallying 20 steals in the first half alone while taking a 71-27 lead into the locker room. The Pioneers continued to roll in the second half to seal the win.
 
The Pioneers step out of league play Sunday when Colorado College visits Darby Gymnasium for a noon game.