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Pioneers play Carroll in MWC DIII semifinals tonight

Grinnell will take on #14 ranked Carroll in a rivalry rematch with the chance for the MWC championship at stake

by Kevin Byrne

The Grinnell College men's basketball teams heads into the Midwest Conference Tournament today as the number three seed, squaring off against the tough, nationally ranked Carroll College team at 5 p.m. today. The MWC tournament this year is hosted by Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisc.

This match-up represents the semifinal round for the Grinnell Pioneers. A victory today will place them in the Conference championship game against the winner of the Lawrence/Knox contest that will also be decided later this evening.

Grinnell secured the three seed with an impressive victory over the Knox College Prairie Fire last Wednesday, 102-83. John Grotberg '09 led the scoring with a game-high 21 points. Davie Arseneault '09, the nation's leading assist-man scored 18 points and dished out eight assists. Mike Schmidt '08 hit five three-pointers on his way to 17 points and Doug Ticus '07 added nine points and seven rebounds. The Grinnell defense held Knox to 43 percent shooting in the second half and outscored the Prairie Fire 50-34 in the final 20 minutes of the game.

"Beating Knox at home on senior night was very important," said Davie Arseneault, "because it allows us to play Carroll in the first round of the conference tournament instead of Lawrence on their home floor."

The Pioneer victory cemented Grinnell's place in the Midwest Conference Tournament and it made their final regular-season contest at Lake Forest College somewhat meaningless in terms of playoff impact.

Grinnell fell behind early against the Foresters during their game against Lake Forest last Saturday, trailing by 17 at the half. The Pioneers gave a very strong performance, with five Grinnell players putting up double figures during the game. Grotberg scored 24 points and Arseneault added 16 points and seven assists. Bobby Long '09 had 12 points, Keith Chamberlain '08 put up 11 points and Ticus also put up 11 points as well as a couple of steals during the game.

Unfortunately this impressive effort by several key players on the team was not enough to overcome the Forester offensive attack. The Pioneers continued to struggle down the stretch, eventually falling to the Foresters, 110-93. The men's basketball team is hoping that the loss on Saturday does not carry over into the tournament.

"I don't think that the loss to Lake Forest will really hurt us," said Schmidt. "It will make us just want to come back and win our first tournament game even more."

Head Coach Dave Arseneault felt that his team had something to learn from the loss.

"I'm not sure what happened at Lake Forest," said Coach Arseneault. "We were flat for the first time this year. If we were thinking ahead to the playoffs, then I hope there is a less learned-stay in the moment!"

Grinnell will indeed have to stay in the moment later tonight as they take on a Carroll team that handed the Pioneers a high-scoring loss at home earlier this year.

A victory will have to be hard-earned and the reward will be one more round with Lawrence University on their home court.

The Pioneers will have to worry about Lawrence later as they must defeat the Carroll Pioneers to reach the finals.

"Carroll is a load," said Coach Arseneault. "I am still searching out a game plan. I do know that I will be leaning on a couple of our better players for some extra minutes."

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