WAUKESHA, Wis. - Brittney Wald's final collegiate game had all of the nerve-wracking twists and turns of an exhilarating rollercoaster ride.
That was a seemingly fitting way to describe the tension-filled experience as she completed her journey to the prestigious 1,000-point career milestone.
Wald, a 5-foot-6 senior guard from Antigo, Wis., scored 21 points in the second half en route to equaling her career-high of 31 points as the Carroll University women's basketball team lost to third-place Carthage College 90-67 in a College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin season finale at Tarble Arena on Feb. 20. 
With the outstanding individual performance, Wald joined an elite group by becoming only the 16th player in the long, rich history of the Carroll women's program to accomplish the feat.
The pressure-packed accomplishment took on added meaning as it came on the road against a fierce conference opponent amidst the bittersweet emotions of playing her last game.
The 21-year-old Wald, who started all 25 games this season and came into the finale with 969 points, converted 12 of 24 field goals in the contest, including a team-best four 3-point baskets, and 3 of 6 free throws in playing a team-best 28 minutes.
The history-making basket came on an aggressive follow-up jump shot in the paint with 1 minute, 22 seconds remaining.
On the memorable basket, junior guard Sara Hartl (Racine, Wis.) made a quick pass over to freshman point guard Maycie Wiernik (Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.) on the right wing.
Wiernik took possession, dribbled around the perimeter and delivered the ball to Wald - who immediately drove to the basket from the left wing, pulled up for a mid-range jumper on the baseline but then snagged her own rebound off the miss and converted the follow up in the middle of the lane.
"It was a remarkable evening," said Wald, who earned first-team all-conference honors in the talent-laden CCIW this season by averaging a team-high 14 points per game with 31 3-point baskets, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.5 steals. "Over the course of the final few weeks, I was reminded of how many points it would take to reach the 1,000 mark but it never really became a top priority because the main focus was simply on winning."
Wald, who showcased her leadership during the program's rebuilding process the last two seasons capped with eight victories in her senior campaign, finished the first half with 10 points as the Pioneers trailed 53-26 at the intermission.
"Being down at halftime, our mindset was really still on putting together a strong second half and attempting to comeback, said Wald, who maintained her humble, hardworking approach by scoring 14 points in the fourth quarter. "As the third quarter went on, coach (Lindsay) Schultz realized how many points I needed and began to adjust the game plan to give me an opportunity to reach it. That's when my teammates displayed their unselfishness, began to make play after play on the defensive end and did their best to get me the ball on every possession. Their excitement, support and will to make it happen only added to the moment and helped me to push through the situation.
"With six minutes remaining in the game, I still needed 10 more points and the plays were being run in my direction. Even though the game was out of reach at that point, every basket became a wild celebration down the stretch. It was really nervewracking during the final minutes so it was an incredible feeling to be able to execute and get the last basket. 
"With it being a close game on Senior Day a few days earlier (referring to a 73-67 home-court victory over Millikin University on Feb. 17), I didn't get a chance to run off the court and hug my teammates so it was great to be able to do that this time around. Considering that it isn't the type of situation you normally work for, their selflessness really made it special. I've had an awesome career so to be able to finish it as part of such a great up-and-coming team really meant the world."
Looking back on the accomplishment, Wald was quick to point out that it was a magical ending that she couldn't have envisioned.
"Coming in as a freshman, I would've never envisioned being able to to score 1,000 points," added Wald, a physical therapy major who plans to pursue coaching in the future. "It's incredible to be included on the list with so many great players who were my teammates and mentors. As a first-year player, you never really think you're ever going to be able to reach that level so its very humbling to become a part of such an elite group.
"To have it happen in the final game of my career was special beyond words. It's truly an experience I will always remember."

PIONEER FAST FACTS
Who: Brittney Wald
What: Senior guard for the Carroll University women's basketball team
Age: 21
Hometown: Antigo, Wis.
Major: Physical Therapy
Accomplishment: Became the 16th player in program history to reach the prestigious 1,000-point career mark by scoring 31 points in the season finale at Carthage on Feb. 20.

CARROLL 1,000-POINT CLUB
1. Amy Vanden Langenberg 2,039 (1982-1986)
2. Crystal Hoewisch 1,791 (2004-2008)
3. Lynn Dusold 1,703 (1983-1987)
4. Janelle Groer 1,519 (2008-2012)
5. Malory Christenson 1,230 (2012-2016)
6. Lyndsey Seewald 1,227 (2007-2011)
7. DeAnna DeMuri 1,168 (1990-1994)
8. Mary Uhalt 1,130 (1974-1978)
9. Kim Wickert 1,123 (2004-2008)
10. Pam DuBiel 1,115 (1981-1985)
11. Corey Grosskopf 1,087 (1999-2003)
12. Krista Rode 1,086 (2001-2006)
13. Crystal Grosskopf 1,032 (1996-2000)
14. Emily DeNoyer 1,029 (2010-2014)
15. Betsy Boenning 1,008 (1989-1993)
16. Brittney Wald  1,000 (2014-2018)