DARBY FINALE ENDS IN FITTING FASHION
Darby Gym was christened by the Grinnell College men’s basketball team on December 7, 1942 with a 37-30 victory over Iowa State University in the first game ever played on the 84-foot floor. On February 11, 2004, the men’s basketball team sent Darby out on a winning note: a 108-103 last-second win over the Knox Prairie Fire. It was the final competition in the storied facility, as the basketball and volleyball teams will compete on a regulation-sized floor with much-needed increased locker room space in 2005.
After a tough come-from-behind effort by the visitors that saw them tie the game with 16 seconds to play, Steve Wood ’04 took the ball and history into his hands. Grinnell’s all-time leading scorer, with 2,292 points and counting, hit a fade-away three-pointer from the corner as time nearly expired on Knox. After Wood’s shot swished through, he turned to the student section and was flooded by a sea of red.
However, the officials determined that .6 seconds remained and after getting the crowd back into the stands, Knox had a final opportunity to score. After timeouts by both coaches, Cole Robertson ’05 intercepted a pass and the game was over and the celebration began for a second time.
If interested in hearing the game, or its final moments, go to www.kgrn1410.com to hear an archived stream. It should be available on the website through the middle of next week.
Wood finished with 38 points, with Eric Walsh ‘05 adding 12, and Steve Nordlund ’04 and Toby Carlson ’06 dropping in 11 apiece. The shooting wasn’t pretty, but Grinnell stuck to its guns and continued to rain threes on the visitors. The Pioneers were 37 of 91 from the floor (40.7%) and hit only 17 of 59 threes (28.8%).
Knox had five players in double figures, led by 23 from Jared Kelly. Jason Maclin and Brandon Dietrich each came off the bench and hit for 18 and 16 points, respectively. Reggie Bowman had 14 and Brandon Dimartino had 11. Knox turned the ball over 30 times, 19 of which were steals by the Pioneers. Walsh grabbed six of those on his own.
Grinnell now sports a 17-4 overall record and has a solid hold on third-place in the Midwest Conference with a 10-4 mark. While Lawrence and Carroll have clinched playoff spots, the conference champion -- and host -- has yet to be determined. Lawrence dropped a game to Ripon on this night, 89-85, and has an 11-2 league record. Carroll is in second with a 10-3 mark and plays at Lawrence this Saturday at 4:00. St. Norbert, tied with Grinnell for third going into the night, fell to Beloit, 72-71 and is now 9-5. For league updates, visit www.midwestconference.org.
Up next the Pioneers are at Lake Forest. The 3:00 Saturday tip-off follows the 1:00 women’s contest.
#GC ATHLETICS#
Newspaper Box Score Knox College vs Grinnell College 2-11-04 7:30 at Darby Gym, Grinnell, Iowa At Darby Gym, Grinnell, Iowa GRINNELL COLLEGE 108, KNOX COLLEGE 105 KNOX COLLEGE (8-12, 3-11) Jared Kelly 10-14 0-0 23; Jason Maclin 8-9 0-0 18; Brandon Dietrich 6-9 4-6 16; Reggie Bowman 6-12 0-0 14; Brandon Dimartino 5-6 1-4 11; Jason Harper 3-5 1-2 7; Adam Barnes 2-2 2-2 6; Chris Heimann 1-3 2-4 4; Jeff Johnson 1-1 2-2 4; Kirk Helm 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 43-62 12-20 105. GRINNELL COLLEGE (17-4, 10-4) Steve Wood 14-29 7-7 38; Eric Walsh 4-6 1-2 12; Toby Carlson 3-5 4-4 11; Steve Nordlund 4-13 0-0 11; Cole Robertson 2-6 3-4 8; Paul Nordlund 2-9 2-4 8; Patrick Choquette 3-4 0-0 6; Trek Langenhan 2-5 0-0 5; Nick Malinowski 1-7 0-0 3; Trey Raney 1-3 0-0 3; Matt Brown 1-4 0-0 3. Totals 37-91 17-22 108. Knox College.................. 45 60 - 105 Grinnell College.............. 55 53 - 108 3-point goals-Knox College 7-18 (Jared Kelly 3-6; Jason Maclin 2-2; Reggie Bowman 2-8; Brandon Dimartino 0-1; Brandon Dietrich 0-1), Grinnell College 17-59 (Eric Walsh 3-5; Steve Wood 3-10; Steve Nordlund 3-12; Paul Nordlund 2-8; Toby Carlson 1-3; Matt Brown 1-4; Cole Robertson 1-2; Trek Langenhan 1-4; Nick Malinowski 1-7; Trey Raney 1-3; Patrick Choquette 0-1). Fouled out--Knox College-Jared Kelly, Grinnell College-None. Rebounds-Knox College 40 (Jared Kelly 9), Grinnell College 42 (Steve Wood 8). Assists-Knox College 27 (Brandon Dietrich 6; Chris Heimann 6), Grinnell College 15 (Eric Walsh 6). Total fouls-Knox College 21, Grinnell College 23. A-1500 Steve Wood brings down Darby gym in the final game ever in the building opened in 1942. He hits the game-winning three-pointer as time expires and place goes crazy.