The good times just keep rolling along for the Grinnell College women's basketball team. The Pioneers won their fourth consecutive game, and fifth in the last six outings, with an 81-80 thriller over Illinois College Saturday afternoon at Darby Gymnasium. The Pioneers are now even in Midwest Conference play with a 5-5 mark and are 7-10 overall. Illinois College fell to 4-6 in MWC play and 8-9 in all games.

Hot shooting was a big factor for the winners, as they hit 53.8 percent from the field (28-of-52), including a 57.7 percent rate in the second half (15-of-26). The Pioneers were also 44.8 percent from 3-point land (13-of-29).

Hannah Wolf '08, playing on Senior Day, erupted for yet another double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Wolf also had six assists and four steals. Jessica Shotts '10 added 17 points with the aid of four 3-pointers, while Mallory Scharf '11 had 15 points. Brittany Parsons scored 20 points to lead Illinois College.

Grinnell built its lead as big as nine points twice in the first half, once at 32-23 on a 3-pointer by Jodi Watkins '09 and again at 34-25 on a jumper by Kate Norton '11. However, Illinois College made a strong run down the stretch and led 45-40 at intermission.

The visitors led the first part of the final stanza before Grinnell went on a key 10-point run. Watkins began things with a 3-pointer, Scharf followed with a basket, Shotts drained a trey and Wolf hit a jumper to put Grinnell ahead 59-54 with 10:48 left. The Pioneers went ahead by as many as seven at 69-62 following a 3-pointer by Brianna Gallo '11 with 6:15 left. Illinois College didn't give up, though, and closed within one at 72-71 with 4:19 to go. Scharf responded with a big 3-pointer a bit later and, after Illinois College came within two at the 2:48 mark, Wolf sank a huge 3-pointer to put Grinnell up 78-73.

The Pioneers continued to stay in command. Things did get tight down the stretch when Kristen Endress got the visitors within 79-77 on a jumper with :19 left, but Gallo hit a pair of free throws with :02 left to put the margin out of reach at 81-77. A 3-pointer by Illinois College at the buzzer accounted for the final score.

Grinnell plays at home again Tuesday when Monmouth College visits for a 5 p.m. game at Darby.
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