GALESBURG, Ill. - Fast starts have become a common theme for the Grinnell College women's basketball team this season.

That was the case again Tuesday night, as the Pioneers bolted out to an 18-4 lead on their way to a 71-55 victory over a Knox College squad that entered the game with just one loss.

At 5-2, Grinnell is off to its best start since the 2003-04 season. The Pioneers also stayed perfect in Midwest Conference play at 2-0, the first time they've won their first two conference games since the 2016-17 campaign.

Tuesday's win snapped Grinnell's three-game losing streak to the Prairie Fire and marked just the Pioneers' second victory over Knox in the last 11 meetings.

Erin Lillis '24 scored 22 points for the winners, while defending MWC Player of the Week Sara Booher '25 posted her fourth double-double of the season with a career-high 17 points to go along with 12 rebounds. She also blocked three shots, boosting her career total to 58. That mark is tied for seventh in program history.

Nikki Ware '25 also scored in double figures for Grinnell with 14 and Eva Carchidi '24 grabbed a career-best 12 rebounds. Lillis and Ware had four assists each and Skylar Thomas '26 came up with two steals.

Grinnell, which had a season-high 51 rebounds, scored the game's first five points on two Booher free throws and a 3-pointer by Lillis. After a Knox basket, Lillis got a bucket and Carchidi drained a trey for a 10-2 lead.

Knox, 5-2 overall and 0-1 in the MWC, followed with a basket before Carchidi made a 3-pointer, Lillis got a layup and Bailey Strovers '27 converted three free throws for an 18-4 lead.

The Pioneers led 20-7 after one period, 34-25 at halftime and 46-42 after three quarters. The teams traded baskets to start the fourth quarter before Grinnell broke things open with a 7-1 run. Booher had a layup to begin the run, Grace Marsh '25 converted a trey and Ware made two free throws for a 55-45 lead with 7:36 left. 

Grinnell was never challenged after that while winning its fourth game in a row.

The Pioneers are back home Saturday to entertain Lawrence University at Darby Gymnasium. Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m.