GRINNELL, Iowa – Grinnell College's women's basketball team played toe-to-toe with Knox College for three quarters of Saturday afternoon's Midwest Conference contest at Darby Gymnasium.
 
However, the Prairie Fire used an 18-5 scoring edge in the final 10 minutes to secure a 53-35 win and improve to 3-1 in the league and 6-3 in all games.
 
Grinnell, 1-3 in the MWC and 3-6 overall, got 10 points, seven rebounds and a career-high two blocks from Kate Tomczik '22. Daria Guzzo '19 added 11 rebounds, Hanna Kessel '19 dished out a career-high four assists and Sasha Thomas '22 had a career-best three steals. Sofia Ahooja '22 added two steals.
 
The Pioneers shot lights-out in the first quarter, making 63.6 percent of their field goal tries while earning a 16-all tie. Grinnell had trailed by seven earlier in the period, but finished off with a 9-2 run as Ajooha, Mikayla Kricfalusi '20 and Tomczik all hit baskets and Tyria Heath '21 converted a traditional three-point play.
 
The Pioneers fell behind by nine early in the second quarter, but again rallied as Tomczik made a basket and Keely Conroy '22 hit a trey to bring the hosts within 27-23 by intermission. Twice Grinnell cut the gap to two points in the third period, the last at 29-27 on Thomas' layup.
 
However, Knox pulled away a bit and led 35-30 entering the final frame. The Prairie Fire scored the first seven points of the fourth quarter and went on to win from there.
 
The Pioneers step out of league play Friday when the University of Northwestern from Minnesota visits for a 6 p.m. test in Darby Gymnasium.