GRINNELL, Iowa -- The Lawrence University women's basketball team dropped a 72-61 Midwest Conference game at Grinnell College on Saturday at Darby Gymnasium.
    A second-quarter run was critical as Grinnell expanded its lead from just two points to 15 at halftime. The Pioneers led by as many as 23 points in the second half before Lawrence rallied to trim the final margin to 11.
    Kenya Earl led Lawrence (3-4, 1-1 MWC) with a double-double of 22 points and 13 rebounds. It was the 20th double-double of Earl's career and the second in as many games. Libby Crandall added 11 points as she drained a pair of 3-pointers to go with four rebounds for the Vikings.
    Maggie Culver and Lydia Lueck added eight points apiece for Lawrence, and Culver grabbed seven rebounds.
    Grinnell was holding a slim 30-28 lead in the second quarter, when the Pioneers scored the final 13 points of the first half to grab a 43-28 advantage at the break.
    The Pioneers pushed the lead to 55-32 in the third quarter and were still up by 23 before Lawrence finished the game on an 18-6 run.
    Nicole Ware led Grinnell (5-5, 2-1) with 21 points.
    Lawrence returns to action on Wednesday when the Vikings host Knox College.