MONROE — A balanced offensive attack and a solid defensive effort led the PCM girls’ basketball team to a postseason win over Grinnell on Saturday.
The Mustangs trailed by six at halftime, but a big second half propelled them to a 48-43 victory during a Class 3A Region 8 quarterfinal matchup.
It was PCM’s first postseason win since the 2019-20 season.
Tori Lindsay and Addison Steenhoek scored 14 points each and the Mustangs’ defense limited the Tigers to 27.5 percent from the floor and forced 21 turnovers. Grinnell lost by five and missed 12 free throws.
PCM trailed 11-6 after one quarter and went into halftime down 20-14. The Mustangs won the third 17-13 and outscored the Tigers 17-10 in the fourth.
Next up for the Mustangs is a date with 3A No. 9 Monticello in the regional semifinals. PCM takes on the Panthers at 7 p.m. on Wednesday in Monticello.
Lindsay led the Mustangs (15-6) with 14 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals and Steenhoek tallied 14 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Jorja Teeter registered nine points, six rebounds and three assists, Rebecca De Vries added six points, four rebounds and two assists and Lila Milani chipped in five points and two boards. Kyra Naeve grabbed three rebounds.
PCM shot 31 percent from the floor, made 4-of-18 from 3-point range and connected on 10-of-15 from the free-throw line.
Kylie Krumm posted a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double to lead the Tigers. Isabel Kenkel grabbed 10 boards, Olivia Renze scored 10 points and Taylor Smith swiped eight steals.
Grinnell (6-15) was 4-of-13 from 3 and hit only 11-of-23 from the foul line. The Tigers out-rebounded PCM 45-25.