GRINNELL, Iowa - Grinnell College's women's basketball team has enjoyed a stellar beginning to the 2024-25 campaign, and that trend continued Wednesday night at Darby Gymnasium.

With a 73-49 victory over Nebraska Wesleyan University, the Pioneers are off to their best start to a season in 22 years as they improved to 4-1. 

The Pioneers shot out to a 20-10 lead by the end of the first period and never looked back while snapping a two-game losing streak to the 0-4 Prairie Wolves.

Grinnell shot a sizzling 91.7 percent from the free throw line, the sixth-best figure in program history and the best for the team since a 2021 game against Lawrence University. Grinnell hit 22-of-24 shots from the stripe.

Nikki Ware '25 led Grinnell's balanced scoring attack with 13 points, and Bailey Strovers '27 posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 boards. Sara Booher '25 and Adriana Perez '28 added 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Juniper Schwartzman '27 had nine rebounds, which is a career-high. Ware and Skylar Thomas '26 each had three assists and Emily Roesler '28, Amelia Rigel '28 and Reese Stephens '27 had two steals each.

Grinnell broke out to a 15-4 lead in quick fashion, as Strovers, Thomas and Ware all had 3-pointers, Booher scored twice inside and Ware made a layup. Grinnell kept things going from there, leading by 10 after one period and 14 at halftime. The hosts stretched their cushion to 60-37 by the end of the third period and cruised from there as 13 players saw action on the night.

Grinnell is back on the home court Friday when Maranatha Baptist visits Darby Gymnasium. Game time is 7 p.m.