GREENVILLE, Ill. – The men's basketball team erased multiple deficits and scored 117 points in its season opener Friday morning just after midnight, but Grinnell College escaped H.J. Long Gymnasium with a 120-117 victory.
The Panthers and Pioneers combined for 237 points in a fast-paced contest that featured 15 lead changes and five ties. Grinnell carried a narrow 62-60 advantage into halftime and never led by more than 14 points, but the visitors made enough plays down the stretch to secure the win.
Greenville shot 47.4 percent from the field and dominated inside, outscoring Grinnell 70-50 in the paint. The Panthers also forced 40 Grinnell turnovers and converted them into 53 points. However, Grinnell countered by making 34-of-47 free throws and outrebounding Greenville 53-47.
Dwayne Reliford came off the bench to lead Greenville with 22 points on 10-of-13 shooting while adding five rebounds and three steals.
Elijah Goad scored 15 points, while
Kayshaun Hunte,
Kavious Johnson, and
Jeremiah Collins each added 12 points.
Joshua Williford contributed nine points,
Manny Barnett scored eight, and Greenville's bench accounted for 65 points.
After trailing by as many as 14 points in the first half, Greenville battled back and took a 76-75 lead on a Reliford layup with 15:11 remaining. The game remained tight throughout the second half, with neither team able to create significant separation.
Grinnell built a six-point cushion at 113-107 with 4:15 remaining, but Greenville answered with a 3-pointer from
Elijah Goad and later pulled within 117-116 after another Goad triple with 57 seconds left.
The Panthers had opportunities in the final minute, but Grinnell made three of four free throws in the closing seconds to maintain the lead.
Greenville's final possession ended with a missed three-pointer as time expired.
Greenville finished with 31 assists and 26 steals while forcing 27 Pioneer turnovers. Grinnell connected on 12 three-pointers and shot 72.3 percent from the free-throw line to withstand the Panthers' pressure.
The Panthers (0-1) will look for their first victory of the season on Friday evening against Covenant.
