GRINNELL, Iowa – With a stifling defensive performance and inspirational play overall, Grinnell College's women's basketball team was in command for nearly all of Wednesday night's contest against Cornell College.
 
But the Rams used a late run to escape with a 49-44 victory in the Midwest Conference opener for both teams at Darby Gymnasium.
 
The Rams' point total was the lowest allowed by Grinnell this season, as was the 28.3 field goal shooting percentage.
 
Tyria Heath '21 led the Pioneers with a game-high 15 points, Kathryn Stender '21 tallied 11 and Ellie Gubbrud '22 grabbed eight rebounds. Kate Tomczik '22 came up with three steals and two blocks for the Pioneers, who are 3-4 overall, Sofia Ahooja '22 added four assists, Emmy Nyquist '23 contributed three assists and Claire Collier '21 blocked a career-best two shots.
 
After the 3-2 Rams scored first, the Pioneers bolted out to nine-point leads twice in the first period. A layup by Heath made it 13-4 with 3:03 to go and later she made two free throws to make it a 16-7 game.
 
Cornell rallied within 16-12 by the end of the period and later was within one on two occasions. Nursing a 28-27 lead, Grinnell got some breathing room when Heath and Stender scored consecutive baskets. Cornell made a free throw prior to halftime to make it a 32-28 game.
 
The defenses stepped up in the third period, with neither team scoring for more than four minutes before Cornell broke the ice with a free throw. Stender responded for Grinnell, though, hitting a 3-pointer. Later, with a three-point lead, Grinnell closed out the period with a flurry as Tomczik made a free throw, Collier a layup and Tomczik another free throw to put the hosts up 39-32 entering the final frame.
 
The Rams made a charge in the fourth period and grabbed their first lead since the opening quarter at 44-43. Tomczik sank a free throw at the 3:46 mark to force a 44-all tie.
 
Grinnell held Cornell scoreless on its next three trips down the floor, but couldn't score itself. The Rams then got a bucket at the 1:33 mark and gradually stretched the lead to its final five-point spread.
 
Grinnell hits the road Saturday to face Knox College in a MWC battle. Action starts at 3 p.m. in Galesburg, Ill.