APPLETON, Wis. - Grinnell College's women's basketball team got out to a quick start Saturday afternoon, but Lawrence University used a big second half to pull away for a 54-48 victory.

Grinnell (7-3, 1-1 Midwest Conference) was ahead 11-10 after one quarter before pulling away for a 20-13 lead late in the second frame as Nikki Ware '25 made a 3-pointer, Skylar Thomas '26 cashed in on a layup and Ware and Cassidy Pak '28 each hit jumpers.

Lawrence (5-2, 2-0 MWC) rallied to tie it before Adriana Perez '28 drained a jumper in the final 30 seconds for a 22-20 halftime lead.

The third quarter went back and forth, with the hosts holding a 34-32 edge at its end. Grace Marsh '25 opened the fourth quarter with a jumper to tie the game at 34-all before Lawrence followed with a 10-1 run for a nine-point lead.

Grinnell fought valiantly down the stretch though, closing within six on Sara Booher's '25 jumper with 26 seconds left. Ware added a 3-pointer 12 seconds later to bring the Pioneers within 52-47, but Lawrence held on for the victory.

Ware led Grinnell with 12 points, while Perez also hit double digits with 10. Booher and Perez added seven rebounds apiece, Thomas dished out three assists and Booher blocked two shots.

Grinnell closes out its pre-holiday slate Wednesday at Cornell College. Tip-off in Mount Vernon is set for 5:30 p.m.