Grinnell Women’s Basketball Surges Late to Defeat Rockford
Rockford, IL — The Grinnell College Pioneers mounted a stunning second-half comeback to defeat Rockford University 72-67 in an electrifying women’s basketball matchup on Saturday at the Seaver Center. This thrilling win elevated the Pioneers’ record to 3-1 in the early season.
After trailing by 13 points at halftime, Grinnell used a dominant third-quarter surge, outscoring Rockford 22-8, to seize momentum. Adriana Perez was the standout performer, tallying 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting, including two clutch three-pointers that helped fuel the rally.
Perez received strong support from Sara Booher, who was a force on the boards with 15 rebounds to go along with her five points and two blocks. Guard Bailey Strovers chipped in with 10 points and eight rebounds, while Cassidy Pak provided a spark off the bench with nine points.
Rockford controlled the game early, jumping out to a 42-29 halftime lead behind a balanced effort led by Alyssa Havard, who scored 19 points, including five three-pointers. However, Grinnell’s defense clamped down in the second half, holding Rockford to just 25 points over the final two quarters.
“Our team showed a lot of grit and composure,” said Grinnell head coach Lynn George. “We emphasized defense and rebounding at halftime, and the players responded brilliantly.”
The fourth quarter remained tightly contested, with Grinnell pulling away in the final minutes thanks to clutch free throws from Nikki Ware and Perez. Rockford’s late attempts to tie the game were thwarted by strong defensive stops, including a key rebound by Juniper Schwartzman in the closing moments.
