The Grinnell College women's basketball team played right with one of the nation's top teams for much of Saturday's game, but in the end St. Norbert College pulled away for a 57-46 Midwest Conference victory at Darby Gymnasium.
Despite playing much of the contest without leading scorer Jessica Vaverka '11, who went out midway through the first half with a hand injury, the Pioneers battled the Green Knights on even terms and led the nation's 21st-ranked team by four midway through the second half.
Elizabeth Burnett '13 led Grinnell with team-highs of 10 points and three steals. She was 5-of-6 from the field. Ashley Jeannin '12 scored eight points and dished out five assists, while Michelle Briggs '13 had seven rebounds, five blocks and two steals.
Rebecca DeGroot '14 added seven rebounds for the Pioneers, who are 6-8 in the MWC and 7-11 in all games.
Krista Pelky had 12 points for St. Norbert, which is 14-1 in the MWC and 18-2 overall.
Grinnell built a 10-4 lead early in the game before St. Norbert raced back to lead 22-16 at intermission.
The Green Knights went up by as many as eight early in the second half, but the Pioneers came back with a vengeance by putting together a 15-3 run for a 35-31 lead midway through the second half.
Burnett hit a jumper to start the spurt, DeGroot sank two free throws, Ashley Jeannin '12 drained a jumper and Burnett scored again as St. Norbert's lead dwindled to 31-28.
DeGroot made two more free throws to make it a one-point game and Burnett scored at the 11:36 mark to put Grinnell ahead 32-31. Karen Gogins '13 followed with a basket and Burnett sank a free throw to make it 35-31 in favor of Grinnell with 10:26 left.
But St. Norbert rallied and took the lead before Grinnell got its final lead at 40-38 on a 3-pointer by Brianna Gallo '11 with 7:26 left. St. Norbert again came back, going ahead by seven before Grinnell gave one final push as Jeannin and Burnett scored to make it 49-46 with 3:20 left.
But St. Norbert closed out the game with eight straight points to pull out the win. Grinnell missed all six shots it took during that span.
Grinnell takes to the road Wednesday to face Monmouth College, beginning at 5 p.m.