Grinnell, IA – Grinnell College started fast and remains in contention for the Midwest Conference title after defeating the Prairie Fire 136-65 on Tuesday.

The Pioneers (14-4, 11-3 MWC) won their third straight game and sixth in the last seven in sweeping the season series against Knox.  Grinnell downed the Prairie Fire 113-76 in their first meeting on November 28 at Memorial Gym.

The Pioneers, who have won seven of their nine home games to date, entered play on Tuesday trailing first place St. Norbert College by just one game in the league standings.

The Pioneers, the top scoring team in the country at 114.6 points per game, led 7-0 a little over two minutes into the contest.  The Prairie Fire (1-17, 1-12 MWC) got on the board when junior Eric Miller (Villa Park, IL, Willowbrook) scored on a layup and trailed 7-2 at the 17:37 mark.

Grinnell followed with another 7-0 surge for a 14-2 lead with 13:12 before the break.  Junior David Jones (Denver, CO, Colorado Academy) stopped the run about a minute later with a basket that trimmed the Pioneer lead to 14-4.

Grinnell took control over the next 3 ½ minutes by outscoring Knox 18-5 during that span for a 32-9 advantage.  The Pioneers’ expanded their lead to 60-18 with 3:17 remaining and took a 72-25 lead into the locker room at halftime.

The Prairie Fire connected on just 6-of-24 (25%) shots in the first half and committed 24 turnovers.  The Pioneers were 22-of-51 (43%) from the floor, including 16-of-40 (40%) from long range.  Grinnell also sank 12-of-16 foul shots.

The Pioneers continued their torrid shooting from 3-point range, drilling another 15 shots from beyond the arc in the second half to finish 31-of-72 (43%).  Grinnell connected on 44-of-97 (45%) shots overall and made 17-of-24 free throws.

The Pioneers -- the top scoring team in the country averaging 115.9 points per game -- also lead NCAA Division III teams in 3-point field goals per game (19.0), steals per game (16.7), and turnover margin (15.4).  Grinnell established a season-high with the 31 3-point baskets against the Prairie Fire.

Knox improved to 46% shooting in the second half and finished 19-of-52 (36.5%) overall while making 27-for-40 free throws. 

The Pioneers forced 40 Prairie Fire turnovers that led to 52 points.  Grinnell also held a 28-10 edge in second chance points and blocked 13 shots, eight of them by Brian McManamy.

Jones led Knox with 13 points to go along with seven rebounds.  Senior Lukas Shaw (Portland, OR, U.S. Grant) added 12 points and first-year Javaka Thompson (Chicago, IL, Whitney Young) scored nine points and grabbed a team-high nine rebounds.

Jesse Ney hit eight 3-pointers and scored 28 points to pace the Pioneers.  Griffin Lentsch chipped in with 20 points.

Knox resumes play on February 2 at Lake Forest College at 3:00 p.m.

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