JACKSONVILLE, Ill.  - After opening the new year with three losses in four home games, the Grinnell College men's basketball team was in dire need of a win.

Mission accomplished.

With the aid of Aiden Gilbert's '23 career night, the Pioneers strolled past Illinois College 135-107 in Midwest Conference play Wednesday. The point total was Grinnell's highest in a road game since erupting for 156 against Simpson College in the 2013-14 season.

Gilbert had career-bests of 42 points, four rebounds and four assists for the Pioneers, who improved to 4-3 in the league and 8-6 overall while winning for the third time in a row over the Blueboys. Gilbert was impressive at the free throw line, hitting 17-of-20 shots. The 17 free throws are the fifth-most in a game in Pioneer history, and his point total is the highest for a Grinnell player this season.

Hannes Kogelnik '21 and Jackson Qualley '22 had 28 points each, with Kogelnik's total bringing him within seven of the 1,000-point career mark. Zachary Stice '21 added 12 points.

Qualley dished out six assists, Kogelnik came up with three steals and Will Bebee '22 blocked two shots and grabbed seven boards.

Grinnell shot out to a 10-point lead early, scoring 14 of the first 18 points before the Blueboys rallied and eventually tied it at 55-all with 3:19 left in the first half. Qualley answered with a 3-pointer to give Grinnell a lead it would never relinquish.

The Pioneers were up 68-62 at halftime before seeing that gap sliced to five at the start of the second half. 

Kogelnik and Qualley then led Grinnell on a crucial 12-point run, each hitting two treys to push the Pioneers ahead 80-63. The Pioneers never looked back as they sent the Blueboys to 2-5 in the MWC and 4-10 in all games.

Grinnell plays Lawrence University in Appleton, Wis., at 1 p.m. Saturday. The Pioneers defeated the Vikings 120-115 in overtime on Jan. 4.