GRINNELL, Iowa – Grinnell College gave a seasoned Ripon College men's basketball team all it could handle Tuesday afternoon, but in the end the preseason Midwest Conference favorite escaped Darby Gymnasium with a 95-84 victory.
 
Ripon (7-6, 3-1 MWC) bolted out to a 30-15 lead 12 minutes into the game, but Grinnell wasn't fazed in the slightest and promptly closed out the half with a 26-11 run to tie the contest 41-all by halftime. Aiden Gilbert '23 and Brady Vest '23 each had 3-pointers down the stretch to help secure the tie.
 
The Pioneers fed off that momentum to start the second half, as Adam Phillips '23 drained a 3-pointer to put the hosts on top 44-41. Another Phillips trey again helped Grinnell (6-7, 2-3 MWC) break a tie while going ahead 47-44, and Mitch Priest '25 contributed another 3-pointer a short time later to make it 50-47 in favor of Grinnell.
 
However, the Red Hawks went on a crucial seven-point run and never trailed again. The biggest dagger was a nine-point spurt midway through the half that turned a one-point lead into a 64-54 edge. Ripon held on from there for victory.
 
Gilbert led Grinnell with 20 points and Phillips scored 13. Tolu Johnson '25 added six rebounds, while Dean Mazlish '23 came up with six assists and four steals.
 
Grinnell returns to Darby Gymnasium Saturday to entertain Lawrence University at 3 p.m.