GRINNELL, Iowa – Grinnell College's women's basketball team was right with Buena Vista University for a good chunk of the first half before the Beavers pulled away for a 67-54 non-conference win Tuesday night at Darby Gymnasium.
 
Kayla Morrissey '18 had 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists for the Pioneers while also tallying a blocked shot, moving her into a seventh-place tie on Grinnell's all-time chart with 53.
 
Hanna Kessel '19 scored a career-high 11 points and also registered two steals. Abby Hellweg '19 added a career-best six points, while Daria Guzzo '19 grabbed six rebounds and Regan Kasprak '19 added two steals.
 
Tyria Heath's '21 basket to start the game gave Grinnell its only lead. Buena Vista raced back with a 9-0 run before the Pioneers rallied and closed the gap to 13-11 on Kasprak's basket.
 
Buena Vista then scored to close out the period with a four-point lead. Twice in the second period Grinnell came within two, the first time at 16-14 on Morrissey's traditional three-point play and again at 23-21 on a 3-pointer by Olivia Woolam '21.
 
But the Beavers answered with an eight-point run and led 35-25 at intermission. Buena Vista stretched its lead to 55-38 at the end of the third period and closed out the win from there.
 
Grinnell, 1-2 on the season, hosts Kansas Christian College at 1 p.m. in Darby Gymnasium. Buena Vista improved to 2-2.