GRINNELL, Iowa – The Grinnell College women's basketball team evened its Midwest Conference mark at 3-3 with a 63-48 victory over Lawrence University Saturday afternoon at Darby Gymnasium.
 
Alissa Hirsh '16 tallied game-highs of 18 points and six steals for the Pioneers, who are 4-6 overall. Sophia Gatton '17 added 11 points and four assists, while Alex Neckopulos '17 recorded a double-double with 10 points and 15 rebounds.
 
Kayla Morrissey '18 added four assists for Grinnell. Danelle Buck had 12 points for the Vikings, who are 0-5 in the MWC and 0-9 in all games.
 
Grinnell built a 15-point lead in the first half before going into the locker room with a 35-26 edge.
 
Lawrence rallied in the second half, closing within two at 35-33. However, the Pioneers responded with a 10-0 run to pull away. Hirsh began the spurt with four consecutive free throws, while Lydia Stariha '17 and Gatton drained back-to-back 3-pointers to put the hosts up 45-33 with 13:25 left.
 
Lawrence got within six points three times after that, the final time at 54-48 with 3:06 remaining. But the Pioneers reeled off the final nine points of the game as Morrissey hit two free throws, Gatton made a jumper, Hirsh hit a layup and free throw and Stariha connected on a jumper.
 
Grinnell steps out of league play Tuesday with a game at Mount Mary University in Milwaukee, Wis. Tip-off is slated for 5 p.m.