GRINNELL, Iowa - It took a little time to get going Saturday afternoon, but when Grinnell College's women's basketball team did there was no stopping the Pioneers.

Grinnell improved to 6-2 for the first time since the 2002-23 season, using a huge second-half surge to freeze out the Crown College Polars 61-35 at Darby Gymnasium.

The Pioneers led just 27-19 at halftime before out-scoring the visitors 34-16 in the final two frames.

Bailey Strovers '27 and Nikki Ware '25 were each in double figures for Grinnell, with Strovers tallying 13 points and Ware 11. Ware was 3-of-5 from 3-point land and Strovers made 2-of-4 shots from beyond the arc.

Sara Booher '25 and Strovers grabbed nine and eight rebounds, respectively. Skylar Thomas '26 distributed a career-best five assists, Booher blocked four shots and Ware added two steals.

Grinnell was ahead 14-11 after one period and inched ahead by eight by halftime. Crown, 0-7, closed within four at the start of the third quarter before the Pioneers answered with an eight-point run that saw Strovers make two free throws, Ware a trey and Strovers another 3-pointer for a 35-23 cushion.

After Crown closed within nine, the Pioneers finished the period with a 5-2 run with Adriana Perez '28 making two free throws, Nora Lynch '28 hitting a jumper and Thomas making a free throw for a 45-31 lead. The Pioneers continued where they left off, opening the final period with a 3-pointer by Ware, layup from Booher and 3-pointer by Amelia Rigel '28 for a 53-31 cushion. Grinnell cruised from there.

The Pioneers open Midwest Conference play Tuesday against Knox College. Tip-off at Darby is set for 5:30 p.m.