Newton girls end long skid against Grinnell

GRINNELL — The Newton girls basketball team shot 29 percent from the floor, missed 10 free throws and turned the ball over 30 times but still found a way to stay unbeaten on Tuesday during a road contest against Grinnell.

The Cardinals scored single digits in three of the four quarters, but advantages in the first and third frames led them a 34-29 non-conference victory over the Tigers.

It was the fewest points Newton has allowed in a game since defeating Des Moines Hoover 64-24 in the 2022-23 opener.

The 34 points also were the fewest in a win since defeating Pella Christian 30-24 on Jan. 7, 2022.

It was the Newton’s first win over Grinnell since defeating the Tigers 43-41 on Feb. 3, 2015.

The loss snapped Grinnell’s 17-game win streak in the series. The Tigers are 30-5 against Newton since 2006.

Newton led 7-3 after one quarter, but the Cardinals went in front by only one point at halftime. They won the third 13-10 and put the game away with a small surplus in the fourth.

Tori White led the visitors with nine points, 10 rebounds and five steals and Hailey Dickerson posted eight points and seven rebounds off the bench.

Payton Carkhuff tallied seven points and four rebounds, Alex Riney chipped in four points, four rebounds, two assists and three steals and Alex Garvis grabbed five boards. Evie Main scored three points and grabbed four boards and Camryn Klein corralled two rebounds off the bench.

The Cardinals (2-0) were only 1-of-8 from 3-point range and 9-of-19 from the free-throw line.

Newton will try to be 3-0 for the first time since starting 5-0 in 2015-16. The Cardinals host Marshalltown at 6:15 p.m. on Thursday in Newton.