STORM LAKE, Iowa - Grinnell College's women's basketball took to the road for the first time this season Thursday, losing a 67-52 decision at Buena Vista University.

The Pioneers dug an early hole before storming back to make it a three-point game early in the second quarter. But the Beavers answered with a run of their own and never looked back on their way to victory.

The Pioneers enjoyed a strong free throw shooting performance, hitting 9-of-11 shots, but struggled from 3-point land by making just 1-of-14.

Grinnell (1-3) took its lone lead of the game right off the bat when Ava Wu's '29 3-pointer made it a 3-2 cushion. Buena Vista responded and led 18-9 late in the first period before the Pioneers went on a six-point run on buckets by Georgia Patterson '29 and Megan Walters '29 and two free throws from Carolyn Pierce '27, making it 18-15.

Buena Vista (3-2) closed out the period with two free throws, but Nora Lynch '28 (team-high 11 points) opened the second frame with two free throws to bring the Pioneers within 20-17.

That's when the hosts broke it open, going on a 16-4 run on their way to a 44-29 halftime lead. The teams played on even terms the rest of the way.

Juniper Schwartzman '27 led Grinnell's rebounders with seven, while Reese Stephens '27 earned two of the Pioneers' four steals. 

Grinnell is on the road again Saturday to face North Central University in Minneapolis. Tip-off is 3 p.m.