GRINNELL, Iowa – Not only was Tuesday night's women's basketball win over Cornell College huge, it also proved to be historic.

Grinnell College snapped a 10-game home losing streak against the Rams, dating back to 2005, with a 56-44 decision at Darby Gymnasium.

The victory was critical for the Pioneers' hopes of qualifying for the Midwest Conference Tournament. With the win, they improved to 5-7 in the league and are tied for fifth place, just a game out of fourth.

Grinnell, 8-11 overall, got its last home win against the Rams on Dec. 10, 2005, when Cornell was a member of the Iowa Conference (now American Rivers Conference).

Grinnell rode a balanced scoring attack that saw Erin Lillis '24 tally 14 points, Nikki Ware '25 putting in 13 and Skylar Thomas '26 adding 10.

The Pioneers made 10 3-pointers, one shy of their season-high, as Ware made three and Lillis, Thomas and Eva Carchidi '24 two apiece.

Effective passing aided the Pioneers' cause, as they dished out a season-high 19 assists with Lillis tallying six and Ware five. Lillis' total is a season-best for Grinnell, and both her total and that of Ware are career-highs for the duo.

Sara Booher '25 and Aiyana Rockwell '24 were stellar defensively for Grinnell, blocking three and two shots, respectively. Booher also had eight boards, while Rockwell and Lillis had seven apiece. Rockwell's total is a career-high.

Cornell (8-10, 7-4 MWC) bolted out to a 13-9 lead in the first period before Ware's trey cut the gap to one by its conclusion. Grinnell got defensive, literally, in the second period by limiting the Rams to just 12.5 percent shooting from the field (2-of-16) and five points. The Pioneers scored 12 points in the frame for a 24-18 halftime lead.

Cornell closed within 38-35 by the end of three periods and continued that into the fourth, eventually tying the game at 42-all with 5:56 left.

Sarah Toay '23, playing for the first time after missing several games due to injury, answered for Grinnell with a jumper and Lillis drained an NBA-length 3-pointer from the right wing to push the Pioneers ahead 47-42 with 4:52 left.

After another basket by Lillis, Thomas hit a trey from the left side to put Grinnell ahead by 10 with 1:05 left. The Pioneers cruised from there.

Grinnell is on the road Saturday for another key MWC test at Monmouth College. Tip-off is 1 p.m.