Harlan Scores 25 Again but Scots Fall at Grinnell

Monmouth outscored by 19 in fourth quarter

by Nathan Baliva

MONMOUTH, Ill. (01/12/2023) — The Monmouth College women's basketball team fell in a Midwest Conference matchup against Grinnell College 87-73 on Wednesday night. The loss ends a two-game MWC win streak for the Fighting Scots (7-8, 3-3) as they were outscored by 19 points in the fourth quarter.

Grinnell jumped out to an early lead of 5-2 and pushed that lead to 15-5. The Scots went on a run to close the gap as Tarae Warner (Burlington, Iowa) and Lily Harlan (Washington, Illinois) made shots for a 17-10 Pioneers lead after one.

Monmouth won the second quarter 26-12 as Ashley Jones (Abingdon, Illinois) scored eight points in the quarter. Harlan had six more in the quarter for a 13-point half as Monmouth led at the break 36-29.

The Scots extended the lead to 11 with 2:54 left in the third quarter on a 3-pointer by Zoie Wall (Bartonville, Illinois). The hosts finished the quarter on a 10-4 run as the Scots led 59-54 entering the fourth quarter.

Monmouth led 64-63 with 6:00 left before the Pioneers scored the next five points. Grinnell went on top 71-66 and then scored the next four points for a 75-66 lead. Warner made a 3-pointer with 1:46 left but Grinnell scored the next eight points to lead 83-69. Harlan scored the final four points for the Scots but the Pioneers made their free throws for an 87-73 win.

Harlan matched her career-high from Saturday with 25 points on 9-of-18 shooting and added seven rebounds. Warner scored 17 points and Wall scored 12 for Monmouth.

MONMOUTH MOMENTS: Monmouth swept the season series last year with an 8-point win in Iowa and a 19-point win at home. The Scots had won three in a row in the series and are 5-5 in the last 10. Monmouth is just 1-7 in their last eight trips to Grinnell. Warner has scored double digits in three of the last four games and she has at least one steal in every game this season. Jones has scored at least nine points in four straight games. Wall has scored in double digits in four straight games and at least eight points in five straight. Harlan has scored in double digits in four straight and at least nine points in six straight games. Harlan has at least five rebounds in 14 of 15 games this season and has made at least one 3-pointer in 13 of 15 games. The Scots host Ripon at 1 p.m. on Saturday.