BELOIT, Wis. - The Grinnell College men's basketball team stormed out to a 10-point first-half lead at Beloit College, but the hosts came back and eked out a 111-105 Midwest Conference victory Tuesday night .

Leading 10-8 out of the gate, the Pioneers strung together a 10-2 run that began with a 3-pointer by Dean Mazlish '23 and continued with a layup by Aiden Gilbert '23, 3-pointer by Moze Thurmgreene '23 and two free throws by Gilbert that made it 20-10 with 11:27 left in the first half.

The Pioneers held a 46-43 halftime cushion before Beloit rallied for a 52-51 lead. Grinnell (6-10, 2-6 MWC) responded, though, going on an 11-3 run that included a 3-pointer by Dillon Gestring '25, jumper from Jack Ruhanen '25, 3-pointer by Phillips and another from Gestring to put Grinnell ahead 62-54 with 15:23 left.

Beloit (5-12, 2-7 MWC) rallied again, though, going ahead 63-62 and extending that to 11 points. Grinnell got as close as 104-99 down the stretch on Gilbert's 3-pointer with 2:12 left before the Buccaneers closed out the victory.

Gilbert led Grinnell with 27 points, Mitch Priest '25 and Gestring had 12 each and Mazlish put in 11. Priest's total is a career-high.

Brady Vest '23 led the way for Grinnell in rebounds with a career-best nine, Mazlish was tops in assists with five and leading the charge in rebounds were Mazlish and Gilbert with four each. Gilbert's steals total is a career-high.

Grinnell is on the road again Saturday to face Ripon College in Ripon, Wis. Tip-off is 3 p.m.