GRINNELL, Iowa - Grinnell College's men's basketball team picked up where it left off in Midwest Conference play Saturday.

After opening league action with four consecutive wins in 2025, the Pioneers moved to 5-0 with a 96-74 victory over Lawrence University at Darby Gymnasium. 

Grinnell, 10-2 overall and riding an eight-game winning streak, was sparked by a season-best 90.3 performance from the free throw stripe (28-of-31).

The Pioneers led just 40-37 at halftime before outscoring the visitors 56-37 in the final 20 minutes. Tyler Copes '29 scored a career-best 16 points to lead Grinnell, while Gabe Garcia '27 chipped in with 14 and Kai Te Huki '27 and Zach Rosen '26 added 13 each.

Strahinja Nikolic '27 and Aidan Wiley '29 each grabbed five boards, with Wiley's marking a career-high. Garcia and Rosen each dished out four assists, Nick Courtney '26 tallied four steals and Nikolic had a career-best three blocks.

Lawrence, which moved to 2-3 in the MWC and 9-5 overall, hit a 3-pointer to open the second half to force a 40-all tie. After another tie at 42-all, Grinnell went on a 10-point run to go ahead 52-42. Rosen began the spurt with a layup, Nick Lundy '27 sank two free throws, Te Huki scored from beyond the arc and John Vincent '26 converted a layup and free throw.

Grinnell added a critical 8-2 run a few minutes later, turning a 10-point lead into a 69-53 margin. Rosen had a layup and two free throws in that span, Lundy drained a trey and Sean Walser '26 made a layup.

Grinnell stretched its lead from there for the 22-point victory.

There was a bit of movement on the Pioneers' career record board during the game, as Garcia moved to sixth for free throws made with 365 and 14th in assists at 227. Rosen moved up to 12th on the career assists list with 240.

The Pioneers face a big test Tuesday when they play at Monmouth College, the defending MWC champ and currently unbeaten in league play. Tip-off is 5:30 p.m.