JACKSONVILLE, Ill. - And just like that, the Grinnell College men's basketball team is tied atop the Midwest Conference standings.

Facing their biggest test of the season, the Pioneers delivered in stellar fashion as they toppled defending league champ Illinois College 95-89 Saturday afternoon.

By defeating the Blueboys, who are receiving votes for the national rankings, Grinnell improved upon its already stellar record by moving to 9-2 in the MWC and 15-4 overall. The Blueboys, also 9-2 in the league, are 17-3 in all games.

Grinnell forced the hosts to play catch-up nearly the entire game, thwarting a few rallies by making timely shots and coming up with big defensive stops.

In the first half, the Pioneers broke away from a 28-23 lead with a 9-0 run that included layups by Gabe Garcia '27 and Nick Lundy '27, 3-pointer by Kai Te Huki '27 and another layup by Garcia to make it 37-23 with 5:09 left.

However, the hosts battled back to tie the contest at 44-all at intermission.

The teams battled on even terms for the first part of the second stanza, with Grinnell holding a slim 75-73 lead with 7:25 left. Jordan Lee '27 then delivered a huge 3-pointer, and the Pioneers followed by forcing a turnover that was converted into a jumper by David Bluder '25 for an 80-73 lead.

Illinois College drew within four points a few minutes later before John Vincent '26 scored a layup and Jackson Leone '25 drained a 3-pointer for an 88-79 Grinnell lead with 4:36 remaining.

Down the stretch, the Blueboys made one final surge to pull within four with just over two minutes left. Grinnell's defense then stepped up, forcing six missed shots and a turnover through the final buzzer.

Te Huki led Grinnell with 27 points and impressive 7-of-11 shooting from 3-point land. Tarighi added 11 points. Lee and Nick Courtney '26 each had five rebounds, Garcia dished out six assists and Te Huki came up with three steals.

Grinnell plays the second of three consecutive road games Wednesday with a contest at Cornell College in Mount Vernon. Tip-off is 5:30 p.m.