GRINNELL, Iowa – Grinnell College's women's basketball team dominated Lawrence University in the fourth period Saturday, and that paved the way to the continuation of a dominating streak.
 
The Pioneers outscored the Vikings 24-13 in the final period on their way to a 69-57 victory at Darby Gymnasium, snapping a three-game losing streak.
 
The win stretched Grinnell's winning streak against the Vikings to 17 games, going back to the 2006-07 campaign. Additionally, Grinnell has beaten Lawrence 10 consecutive games at Darby Gymnasium dating back to 2005-06.
 
Hanna Kessel '19 erupted for a career-high 17 points for the Pioneers, who won for the first time in Midwest Conference play and are now 1-3 in the league and 4-5 overall. She was a perfect 4-for-4 on 3-pointers.
 
Kayla Morrissey '18 posted her third double-double of the season with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Tyria Heath '21 also had 16 points and a career-best four steals, while Daria Guzzo '19 grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds.
 
Mikayla Kricfalusi '20 added 10 boards and Kasprak a career-high four assists.
 
Morrissey was 12-of-13 from the free throw line. She has made 317 free throws in her career, third-best in program history. She also moved up to eighth in all-time rebounds with 503.
 
Grinnell fell behind 8-0 right off the bat before rallying to force a tie. The Vikings led 17-13 after one period and 33-29 at halftime before going up by nine early in the third period.
 
But the Pioneers answered with a 10-point run as Kasprak made a free throw, Morrissey two more, Kasprak a pair of charity shots and Morrissey a 3-pointer and two free throws for a 41-40 Grinnell cushion – the Pioneers' first lead of the game.
 
The teams went back and forth after that, with Kessel's 3-pointer at the buzzer giving Grinnell a 45-44 lead heading into the final period.
 
Lawrence gained its final lead at 48-45 before the Pioneers went on a tear, outscoring the visitors 21-2 over the next several minutes. Kessel scored eight points in the run, including a 3-pointer, and Morrissey had seven. Heath put in two baskets and Kasprak one as Grinnell built its lead to 66-50.
 
The Pioneers never looked back on their way to securing the win. With the loss, the Vikings fell to 1-2 in the MWC and 2-6 overall.
 
Grinnell has some time off before hosting Ripon College on Jan. 3. Game time is 7:30 p.m.