by By Ted Schultz, Grinnell Athletics
MOUNT VERNON, Iowa – It had been more than a decade since Grinnell College’s women’s basketball team tasted victory over Cornell College.
That 16-game losing streak, which dated back to 2009, came to a screeching halt Tuesday night as the Pioneers knocked off the Rams 55-53 on Cornell’s court. Grinnell’s last win over Cornell had been before the Rams rejoined the Midwest Conference, a 66-58 Pioneer decision in Mount Vernon on Nov. 15, 2009.
Not only did the win snap a losing streak, but it wrapped up a key three-game road trip with a 2-1 record and kept the Pioneers in the thick of the MWC Tournament hunt.
Kate Tomczik ’22 continued her recent tear with a double-double, netting 19 points and 10 rebounds. Tyria Heath (Mohican/Menominee) also scored 19 and is now 12th on Grinnell’s career scoring chart with 911 points and 12th in career field goals with 341. Ellie Gubbrud ’22 grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds for the Pioneers, who are 5-4 in the MWC and 9-7 overall.
Tomczik blocked two shots, pushing her into the No. 19 spot on Grinnell’s career chart with 25. Gubbrud added two steals and five players had one assist each, including Sofia Ahooja ’22 whose career total of 118 ranks 20th at Grinnell.
The first period was tight throughout, with Tomczik’s 3-pointer at the 1:20 mark giving Grinnell a 14-11 lead at its conclusion. The teams went back and forth after that, with Cornell leading 26-25 at halftime and 40-38 after three periods.
Cornell used a pair of quick treys early in the fourth period to build a 48-42 lead. But then Grinnell went on a critical 10-point spurt over the next four minutes to go ahead by four. Emmy Nyquist ’23 hit a 3-pointer, Heath made consecutive layups, Gubbrud sank a jumper and Heath converted a free throw to push the Pioneers ahead 52-48 with 2:02 left. During that same time, Cornell missed seven consecutive shots.
After the Rams made it a two-point game, Tomczik hit two big free throws with 1:24 remaining to make it a 54-50 lead. A 3-pointer by Cornell cut the lead to one and Grinnell missed a shot, but the Rams also missed and the Pioneers got the rebound.
Tomczik was immediately fouled and sank one free throw to make it 55-53. Cornell missed a shot in the waning seconds, sending Grinnell into celebration as the Rams slipped to 5-3 in the MWC and 8-6 in all games.
