GRINNELL, Iowa - Grinnell College's men's basketball team left nothing to error in helping coach David Arseneault Jr. secure a milestone victory.
The Pioneers bowled over Lake Forest College 148-123 in the league opener for both teams Saturday at Darby Gymnasium, providing Arseneault with his 100th coaching victory at the collegiate level. The win marked Grinnell's largest margin of victory over the Foresters since 2009.
Grinnell, off to its best start since the 2017-18 season, is 5-1 while the Foresters fell to 2-4.
The Pioneers established season-highs of 25 3-pointers and 31 assists in the victory. Sean Murphy '26 and Kai Te Huki '27 led the Pioneers with 22 and 20 points, respectively. Murphy hit 6-of-11 shots from 3-point land and Te Huki was 5-of-8.
Jordan Lee '27 contributed 18 points, Gabe Garcia '27 scored 15, Tolu Johnson '25 had 14 and Nick Lundy '27 poured in 13. Jordon Ryan '24 grabbed five rebounds, while Lee led the way in assists with six and Zach Rosen '26 had five. Lee, Garcia and Lundy had two steals apiece.
It was just a five-point game late in the first half before Te Huki and Murphy cashed in on consecutive treys to make it 63-52. Lake Forest climbed back within seven points before the Pioneers closed with a 10-2 run that included a layup by Garcia, jumper from Lee and treys by Murphy and Lee to make it 75-60 at intermission.
Grinnell all but secured the victory early in the second half after Lake Forest had cut the gap to 11. Murphy made three free throws and a 3-pointer, and Lundy added a layup for an 88-69 lead. The Pioneers cruised from there.
Grinnell takes to the road Tuesday for a contest against Knox College. Action in Galesburg, Ill., begins at 5:30 p.m.
David Arseneault Jr. earns 100th career collegiate coaching win as Pioneers roll over Lake Forest
Lake Forest
123
Grinnell
148
Final | 1 | 2 | T |
---|---|---|---|
Lake Forest (2-4,0-1 Midwest Conference) | 60 | 63 | 123 |
Grinnell (5-1,1-0 Midwest Conference) | 75 | 73 | 148 |
Nov 25, 2023