GRINNELL, Iowa – The biggest single-quarter point output in program history came exactly when the Grinnell College women's basketball team needed it Wednesday night.
 
The Pioneers erupted for 33 points in the fourth period to spark a huge rally that resulted in an 87-73 win over Monmouth College at Darby Gymnasium. Grinnell's previous high for a quarter was 31 against Lake Forest College in 2020.
 
Grinnell snapped a three-game losing streak to Monmouth while collecting the key Midwest Conference victory. Grinnell's point total is the highest against Monmouth since 2014 and the 14-point margin of victory the largest over the Fighting Scots since 2017.
 
The Pioneers, who remained hot with their fourth win in their last five outings, got a strong one-two scoring punch from Erin Lillis '24 and Nikki Ware '25. Lillis poured in a game-high 34 points while Ware tallied a career-best 23, hitting 5-of-8 shots from 3-point land.
 
Sara Booher '25 was also in double digits with 14 points and nearly had a double-double with nine rebounds. She also had three blocks and two steals. Eva Carchidi '24 posted career-highs of three assists and two steals, while Lillis dished out three assists and grabbed six rebounds.
 
The Pioneers shot 51.8 percent from the field, including 55.6 percent in the third period (10-of-18) and 75 percent (9-of-12) in the fourth.
 
Grinnell also benefitted from stellar free throw shooting, particularly in the second half. The Pioneers were 85.7 percent from the line in the fourth quarter alone, hitting 12-of-14 shots.
 
Grinnell (6-8, 3-4 MWC) bolted out to a 17-10 lead by the end of the first period, but Monmouth rallied for a 36-29 halftime cushion.
 
The Pioneers began the third quarter with a flurry, eventually tying the game on Ware's 3-pointer with 5:28 left that made it 44-all. Monmouth (7-8, 3-3 MWC) followed with an 11-2 run and still led by eight later in the period before Lillis made a 3-pointer, making it 59-54 going into the final frame.
 
Lillis' basket was the start of a 10-point run that also included two free throws by Booher, a jumper by Lillis and trey from Ware that pushed Grinnell ahead 61-59 with 8:29 left in the game.
 
The Fighting Scots rallied to go ahead 64-63, but a bucket by Lillis and 3-pointer from Ware pushed Grinnell ahead 68-64. After a basket by the Fighting Scots, Grinnell caught fire as Skylar Thomas '26 made a 3-pointer and Lillis and Ware baskets to make it 75-66 with 2:22 left.
 
Grinnell cruised from there for the victory while putting up its second-highest point total of the season.
 
The Pioneers begin a three-game road slate next Tuesday at Beloit College. Tip-off is 5:30 p.m.