GRINNELL, Iowa – Grinnell College's men's basketball team tuned up for the Midwest Conference Tournament in perfect fashion Saturday afternoon, bouncing back from Wednesday's loss to roll over Monmouth College 111-86.

Playing in front of a loud crowd on Senior Day at Darby Gymnasium, Grinnell shot out to a first-half lead and never looked back to improve to 12-4 in the MWC and 18-6 overall. Both win totals are the best for the program since 2019.

As often happens, the Pioneers used an impressive run early to break away from a close game. Leading 16-15 with 12:51 to go in the half, Grinnell pulled away with an 11-0 run that included a 3-pointer by David Bluder '25, layup from Gabe Garcia '27, trey from Nick Lundy '27 and another 3-pointer by Bluder to make it 27-15 with 9:50 to go.

Monmouth, 7-9 in the MWC and 13-12 in all games, was unable to answer as the Pioneers continued to stretch the margin for a 56-39 halftime lead. Grinnell continued to roll, outscoring the Fighting Scots 55-47 in the second half.

Grinnell was aided by a balanced scoring attack that saw Kai Te Huki '27 lead the charge with 16 points and Ryan Tarighi '27 and Jordan Lee '27 with 15 apiece. Tarighi, whose point total was a career-high, was 4-of-7 from 3-point land and Lee made 4-of-9 shots from deep.

Lundy put in 14 points, Garcia scored 13 and Bluder added 11. Lundy, Garcia and Zach Rosen '26 each had six boards while Max DeGeorge '25 had a career-best three steals. Garcia added six assists.

Grinnell will be the second seed in next weekend's MWC Tournament at Jacksonville, Ill. The Pioneers meet third-seeded Beloit College in the semifinals Friday.