DUBUQUE, Iowa - Freshman guard Nick Penny (Lake Zurich, Ill.) scored seven of his season-high 15 points in the second half but it wasn't enough as the Carroll University men's basketball team lost to Loras College 85-78 in a nonconference game at Lillis Court on Thursday.
It was the second road loss of the season and snapped a string of back-to-back victories for Carroll, which dropped to 6-3 overall heading into the Christmas break.
Loras, which won its fourth straight to improve to 7-4 overall, outscored the Pioneers 39-32 in the momentum-building opening 20 minutes - including 10 unanswered points over a critical four-minute span.
It became a crucial stretch as the two, evenly-matched squads each generated 46 points in the spirited second half.
As the game remained tied 68-68 in the second half, the Duhawks responded with what proved to be a decisive 7-0 run over the next two minutes.
Junior guard/forward Tanner Zaeske (South Milwaukee, Wis.) followed with 13 points for Carroll, which made 11 baskets from 3-point range and 10 of 13 free throws. 
Penny and Zaeske each made a team-leading three 3-pointers for the Pioneers.
Sophomore guard Ray Pierce (Milwaukee, Wis.) contributed a season-best 12 points and grabbed a team-high six rebounds. Senior guard Kyle Keranen (Hartland, Wis.) had nine points, including a slashing left-handed layup to trim the deficit to 80-76 with 1:09 remaining.
Freshman forward Kale Maupin (Peotone, Ill.) also collected nine points with sophomore guard Troy Howat (Plainfield, Ill.) adding seven points for the Pioneers, who shot 50 percent from field-goal range but committed 16 turnovers. 
Sophomore guard Ben Widdes (Rice Lake, Wis.) had six points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal to round out the list of top contributors for Carroll.
Senior guard Justin VanWambeke scored a game-high 22 points and freshman guard Matt Dacy-Seijo had 14 points for Loras, which scored 21 points off of turnovers. Sophomore guard Ryan DiCanio chipped in 13 points and senior forward Danny Quinn added 10 points for the Duhawks, who made nine 3-pointers and 22 of 24 free throws.
Loras, which shot 57 percent from the field, outrebounded the Pioneers 36-29 - maintaining a key 12-7 advantage on the offensive glass.