BELOIT, Wis. - Grinnell College's women's basketball team kept up its dominance of Beloit College while continuing its impressive hot streak Tuesday night.
Grinnell extended its winning streak against the Buccaneers to five games, sinking key free throws down the stretch to spark a thrilling 57-50 win in Midwest Conference play. The Pioneers, who won for the fifth time in their last six games, evened their record in conference competition at 4-4 while improving to 7-8 overall.
Grinnell broke away from a tight game early, finishing the first period with a 6-1 flurry that included a layup by Skylar Thomas '26, 3-pointer by Eva Carchidi '24 and free throw by Sara Booher '25 to build a 15-10 lead.
The Pioneers extended their lead to 26-18 by halftime and built an 11-point lead in the third period when a basket and free throw by Lillis made it 36-25. Grinnell was up 43-34 after three quarters before the hosts gradually chipped away, opening the fourth stanza with a 13-2 run to grab a 47-45 cushion with 3:46 left.
However, Grinnell refused to give in as Lillis hit consecutive layups and Aiyana Rockwell '24 sank a jumper to put the Pioneers on top 51-47 with 1:23 left. The Pioneers' defense was also up to task during the spurt, forcing three consecutive Beloit missed shots.
The Buccaneers, who are 2-7 in the MWC and 6-11 in all games, closed within two with 26 seconds left and Lillis was promptly fouled, but she calmly sank both free throws for a 53-49 lead. After another Beloit miss, Nikki Ware '25 was fouled and answered by making both shots to push the Pioneers on top 55-49. Booher secured the victory in the closing seconds with two more free throws.
Lillis, who earlier in the day was named MWC Performer of the Week, scored a game-high 24 points while Ware added nine. Booher grabbed 12 rebounds, dished out three assists and blocked two shots. Her rebound total was the highest for a Grinnell player this season and also a career-best. The three assists were also a career-high for the Pioneer.
The Pioneers will attempt to avenge an earlier loss to Ripon College when they meet the Red Hawks on Saturday. Action at Ripon, Wis., tips off at 1 p.m.