GALESBURG, Ill. - Grinnell College made a big comeback early in the fourth period, but it wasn't enough to get the Pioneers over the hump as they lost a 65-41 women's basketball decision at Knox College Saturday afternoon.
 
The Pioneers trailed 47-28 after three periods before making things interesting with a seven-point run to come within a dozen. But Knox took off from for the win to improve to 6-4 in the Midwest Conference and 9-8 overall.
 
Grinnell, 4-7 in the MWC and 6-11 in all games, got a big performance from Tyria Heath '21 who matched her career-high with 23 points. She was 10-of-17 from the field and also grabbed four rebounds.
 
Sasha Thomas '22 chipped in eight rebounds, three assists and two steals, while Kate Tomczik '22 added seven boards. A tough day shooting the ball from long range hurt the Pioneers, as they were just 13 percent (3-of-23) from 3-point land.
 
The game was close most of the first period, with the Pioneers closing within 7-5 on Heath's jumper. But the Prairie Fire then took off, grabbing a 14-7 lead by the end of the quarter, 35-15 by halftime and 47-28 after three quarters.
 
Grinnell then came to life, starting with Thomas' trey to start the fourth quarter. She added two free throws and Heath converted a jumper and suddenly it was a 47-35 game with 6:08 left. The teams traded 3-pointers after that, with Thomas hitting Grinnell's, to make it 50-38 at the 4:27 mark. However, the Prairie Fire then went on a key eight-point run on their way to victory.
 
The Pioneers have a big test Friday night when St. Norbert College visits Darby Gymnasium. Game time is 5:30 p.m.