GRINNELL, Iowa – After nearly winning at Lake Forest College in November, the Grinnell College women's basketball team showed it meant business from the start of Saturday's Senior Day contest.
 
The Pioneers bulldozed their way to a 10-point halftime lead before the Foresters rallied to take a 72-54 victory at Darby Gymnasium. The win clinched a spot in the Midwest Conference Tournament for the Foresters, who improved to 12-6 in the league and 13-12 overall.
 
Grinnell, which finished its season at 6-12 in the MWC and 8-16 in all games, rode a balanced performance Saturday. Tyria Heath '21 had 15 points to go along with two steals, while Daria Guzzo '19 and Olivia Woolam '21 each had 10 points. Woolam had a trio of 3-pointers on the day.
 
Guzzo also had seven rebounds and Kate Tomczik '22 added eight boards and two blocks. Sasha Thomas '22, Sofia Ahooja '22 and Mikayla Kricfalusi '20 had two steals each, while Ahooja added a career-best five assists.
 
The Pioneers jumped out to a five-point lead in the first period, but Lake Forest rallied to lead 19-16 by the end. The Pioneers got after it in the second period. Trailing by five, Heath made a layup and Thomas a 3-pointer to make it 22-all. But Grinnell wasn't done, as Heath and Guzzo hit consecutive layups for a 26-22 lead.
 
After Lake Forest closed within one, Grinnell finished the half with a 10-1 run. Woolam began the spurt with a huge 3-pointer and Guzzo made two free throws for a 31-25 edge. Lake Forest then made a free throw, after which Aidan Coalson '22 sank two free throws and Woolam drained a trey right before the buzzer to make it 36-26.
 
But just as Grinnell owned the second period with a 20-7 scoring edge, Lake Forest outscored the Pioneers 26-16 in the third to eventually go ahead. Grinnell forced its final tie at the end of the quarter on Heath's jumper, making it 52-all. Lake Forest began the fourth period with an eight-point run and went on to win from there.
 
Guzzo finished her career 13th in blocked shots at Grinnell with 40, while Thomas moved up to 17th for career 3-pointers attempted with 180. On the all-time season chart, the Pioneers had plenty of movement. Topping that list were 209 steals, which ranks third all-time, and .365 opponent field goal percentage, which is fourth. Additionally, Thomas had 180 3-point attempts, which ranks ninth all-time.