Grinnell Outlasts Knox in High-Scoring Midwest Conference Opener

Grinnell, IA – The Grinnell Pioneers men’s basketball team opened their Midwest Conference play with a thrilling 107-101 victory over the Knox Prairie Fire on Tuesday night at Darby Gym. The Pioneers (6-2, 1-0 MWC) leveraged a strong bench performance and a stellar game from Kai Te Huki to overcome Knox (2-4, 0-1 MWC) in a game that featured relentless offensive action.

Te Huki led all scorers with 30 points, including three 3-pointers and an 11-for-14 performance at the free throw line. His efforts were complemented by Harris Dar, who added 24 points on 9-of-10 shooting, and Gabe Garcia, who chipped in 14 points off the bench. The Pioneers outscored Knox 68-44 in bench points, a decisive factor in the win.

The game was a battle of contrasting strengths. Knox dominated the paint with 64 points compared to Grinnell’s 44 and secured 23 second-chance points. However, turnovers proved costly for the Prairie Fire, as Grinnell converted Knox’s 31 turnovers into 35 points, including 19 fast-break points.

Grinnell surged to an early 14-point lead in the first half, but Knox clawed back, narrowing the deficit to 55-52 by halftime. The Pioneers maintained their composure in the second half, with key plays from Te Huki and Dar helping them fend off a determined Knox rally.

Cole Andrews led Knox with 21 points and five rebounds, while Russell Wright contributed 16 points and seven rebounds. Despite their efforts, the Prairie Fire struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 16.7% (3-for-18) from three-point range.

“We knew Knox would come in hungry, and they gave us a tough game,” said Grinnell head coach [Name]. “Kai and Harris were exceptional tonight, and our bench was huge in giving us the edge.”

Grinnell’s next game is [date and opponent], where they will look to build on this strong start to conference play.