JACKSONVILLE, Ill. - Grinnell College's women's basketball team has played in multiple thrillers this season, and Saturday proved to be more.

Illinois College used a second-half rally to slip past the Pioneers 61-55 to put both teams at 6-5 and tied for fourth place in the Midwest Conference standings.

Grinnell (11-8 overall) came back from an 18-14 deficit in the first period to take a 30-27 halftime lead. The second half was tight the entire way before the hosts pulled away late for the win.

The Pioneers featured a balanced scoring attack, with Bailey Strovers '27 scoring a career-high 13 points to go with six rebounds. Erin Lillis '24 added 11 points, Nikki Ware '25 scored 10 and Sara Booher '25 grabbed eight rebounds. Lillis also had five assists.

Grinnell came back from a one-point deficit midway through the second period with a five-point run that included a free throw by Reese Stephens '27, basket by Carolyn Pierce '27 and two free throws by Lillis for a 29-25 lead. 

Leading by three at halftime, Grinnell led a good chunk of the third period before Illinois College (11-9) rallied to make it 45-all at the end of the frame.

The game was tied 47-all early in the fourth quarter when Ware made a jumper and free throw and Booher another free throw to make it a four-point game at the 6:07 mark.

Again the Lady Blues came back to take the lead. Grinnell earned its final tie of the contest on Booher's free throw at the 7:29 mark, making it 55-all. Illinois College hit a big trey at the 1:41 mark and secured the victory with three free throws.

During the game, Lillis moved up to 10th on Grinnell's all-time scoring list with 1,079 points and 11th in free throws made with 222. Booher now ranks 12th in career rebounds with 442.

The Pioneers play a key road contest Wednesday at Cornell College in Mount Vernon. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m.