The Grinnell College men's basketball team fell behind early and couldn't catch up as league-leading Lawrence University posted a 79-55 Midwest Conference victory over the Pioneers Friday.

The win keeps the Vikings flawless in MWC play at 5-0 while improving to 9-1 in all games. Grinnell dipped to 3-2 in the league and 8-4 overall.

Lawrence scored the first seven points of the game, but Grinnell came back with a jumper by P.J. Mahaffey '11 and layup by David Arseneault to make it 7-4. The Pioneers got as close as two a bit later when a layup by Augustus Karisch '11 made it 8-6 with 15:02 to go in the first half. But Lawrence countered with a huge spurt, reeling off a 14-2 run for a 22-8 edge with 9:00 left. Grinnell got within single digits just once more, that being 23-14 on a 3-pointer by Bobby Long '09 with 8:00 remaining in the half. But Lawrence took off again and was up 45-28 at intermission. The Vikings continued to roll in the second half.

Arseneault scored 13 points for the Pioneers, while John Grotberg '09 was also in double digits with 10. Long grabbed seven rebounds and Alex McDonald '11 came up with three steals. Lawrence had five players score in double figures, led by Jayce Apelgren's 14 points.

Grinnell turns right around and meets Beloit College on the latter's court at 3 p.m. Saturday. The Pioneers' next home games are Jan. 25 and 26 against Ripon College and Lawrence, respectively.
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