APPLETON, Wis. - Exactly one week earlier, Grinnell College's women's basketball team posted a furious second-half rally to earn a victory.

History nearly repeated itself Saturday as the Pioneers came back from a 12-point halftime deficit to force overtime at Lawrence University in a key Midwest Conference contest.

However, the Vikings used a late surge in the extra period to secure a 62-59 victory at Alexander Gymnasium, earning a regular-season sweep against the Pioneers.

Lawrence built a 36-24 halftime lead before Grinnell (8-6, 3-3 MWC) put a dent in that margin, closing the gap to 44-35 by the end of the third quarter. The hosts led by six midway through the final quarter when the Pioneers went to work, going on a 9-0 run to take the lead.

Carolyn Pierce '27 began the spurt with a trey and Sara Booher '25 - who posted her sixth double-double of the season with game-highs of 18 points and 11 rebounds - sliced in for a layup and made a pair of free throws to put the Pioneers ahead 53-52 with 2:43 remaining. 

Grace Marsh '25 added to the cushion by making a layup with just over a minute remaining, putting Grinnell ahead by three. While the Vikings were held without a field goal for the final 4:44 of the fourth period, they did manage three free throws to force overtime at 56-all.

After the Vikings opened OT with a 3-pointer, Grinnell roared back as Marsh sank two free throws and Booher and Nikki Ware '25 added one apiece to make it a 59-58 lead for Grinnell with 1:15 remaining.

But Lawrence (10-5, 4-2 MWC) regained the lead with a bucket at the 43-second mark and added two free throws with 4 seconds left. A last-ditch 3-pointer by Grinnell was just off the mark, securing the Vikings' victory.

Booher's point total of 18 was a career-high and her rebound number lifted her to 13th all-time at Grinnell with 394. She also blocked four shots, boosting her career total to 83 which ranks third in program history. 

Erin Lillis '24 added 11 points and is now at 987 for her career. Lillis also had a career-high four steals to move her career total to 87, which ranks 19th all-time at Grinnell. Additionally, Lillis dished out four assists and moved to 13th in program history with 204 made free throws.

Marsh and Ware added career-highs of eight and seven rebounds, respectively.

Grinnell returns to the home venue Wednesday, hosting Beloit College at 5:30 p.m. in a MWC test.