GRINNELL, Iowa – Grinnell College's men's basketball team finished the calendar year by extending its winning streak Saturday afternoon, toppling a solid Principia College team 103-95 at Darby Gymnasium.
 
Grinnell, winners of its past three games, evened its record at 6-6 while Principia dipped to 8-3.
 
Aiden Gilbert '23 tossed in 27 points for Grinnell and Dillon Gestring '25 added 18. Jackson Leone '25 and Sean Murphy '26 each had nine points, with Murphy's a career-best.
 
Dean Mazlish '23 added a career-best six rebounds, the same total as Tolu Johnson '25. Gilbert and Mazlish dished out six assists apiece, Mazlish also had five steals and Nicholas Courtney '26 a career-high three steals.
 
Grinnell opened up a 52-36 halftime lead before Principia gained some of that ground back, closing within six points twice early in the second half. That's when the Pioneers dealt the devastating blow, a 10-point run. Gilbert and Gestring each had layups to start off the spurt, Gestring followed with a trey and David Bluder '25 another 3-pointer to make it 78-62 with 11:09 left.
 
Principia closed within seven points down the stretch but the Pioneers held the visitors off to close out the win.
 
The Pioneers jump back into Midwest Conference play Tuesday with a matinee contest at Darby against preseason league favorite Ripon College. Tip-off is 3 p.m.