RIPON, Wis. - Grinnell College's women's basketball team saw multiple comebacks fall short as the Pioneers dropped a 50-46 decision at Ripon College in Midwest Conference play Thursday night.

The Pioneers fell in an 11-point gap right off the bat, with Ripon scoring 15 of the game's first 19 points. However, the Pioneers answered with a run of their own as 3-pointers by Carolyn Pierce '27 and Bailey Strovers '27 and two free throws by Erin Lillis '24 made it 15-12 after one period.

Ripon, 7-6 overall and 4-0 in the league, stretched its lead to 32-23 by halftime and took a 12-point lead at 37-25 early in the third period. But Grinnell (8-5, 3-2 MWC) refused to fold, using an 11-2 run to pull within three. Skylar Thomas '26, Nikki Ware '25 and Pierce all had treys during the run and Lillis a layup to close the gap to 39-36.

The teams traded baskets before the end of the period, with Grace Marsh '25 getting Grinnell's bucket, to make it 41-38 heading into the final frame. Ripon (7-6, 4-0 MWC) took momentum back to open the fourth period, scoring eight of the first nine points to go ahead by 10.

The Pioneers had one last burst, as Strovers had a layup and Pierce a 3-pointer and two free throws in a 7-1 run that made it 50-46. But that's as close as the visitors could get.

Lillis led Grinnell with 11 points, while Sara Booher '25 added nine rebounds and blocked two shots. Booher boosted her career blocks total to 79, fourth-best in program history. Lillis and Ware added three steals apiece and Lillis posted five assists.

The Pioneers stay in Wisconsin after this, playing Lawrence University Saturday at Appleton. Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m.