(Waukesha, Wis.) - With a 58-53 victory over Monmouth College, combined with Ripon College beating Illinois College, the Carroll University women's basketball has secured the fourth and final berth in the Midwest Conference's post-season tournament.

The lead changed hands multiple times in the opening half with neither team able to produce much separation. Carroll had the biggest lead of the opening 20 minutes (5 points) but Monmouth quickly pulled even again. At the end of a competitive first half, Carroll led 25-24.

The Pioneers stormed out of the game in the second half and built a 14 point lead at 46-32 with 10:51 remaining. The Fighting Scots then went on a 12-2 run over the next three-plus minutes to pull to within 48-44. A few minutes later they had cut the deficit to three points (54-51) with 3:19 to play but Carroll senior Emily DeNoyer put a stop to the run with a classic jumper. Neither team fared well offensively down the stretch, with Carroll outscoring MC 4-2 in the final three minutes.

DeNoyer, playing her final game in Van Male Fieldhouse, scored 10 points to pull to within five points of the 1,000 career point plateau. Corrine Engels led the Pioneers with 12 points and six assists while Breann Maryanski added 10 points.

Carroll, who improved to 14-8 overall, 11-6 in the Midwest Conference, returns to action Wednesday for the regular season finale at Beloit College.