WAUKESHA, Wis. - Sophomore guard Ben Widdes (Rice Lake, Wis.) scored 11 of his season-high 20 points in the first half but the Carroll University men's basketball team lost to Elmhurst College 69-56 in a College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin opener at Van Male Field House on Wednesday night.
Carroll, which dropped to 4-2 overall, led 25-24 at halftime but gradually fell victim to an explosive run over the course of the final 20 minutes.
The rare home-court setback took on added significance as it snapped a five-game winning streak on Ted H. Baker Court dating back to last season.
The Pioneers erased an early 24-12 deficit by responding with a 13-0 run during the final eight minutes of the opening half - powered on nine points from Widdes, two free throws from junior guard/forward Tanner Zaeske (South Milwaukee, Wis.) and capped with an inside basket by sophomore forward/center Tyler Ingebrigtsen (Elk Grove, Ill.).
Carroll couldn't maintain the momentum and was outscored by the Bluejays 45-31 in the second half - including a decisive 23-2 run over a crucial eight minute span.
Freshman guard Nick Penny (Lake Zurich, Ill.) followed with 11 points with senior guard Kyle Keranen (Hartland, Wis.) and Ingebrigtsen adding eight points for the Pioneers, who struggled by shooting 30 percent from field-goal range.
Zaeske finished with six points and seven rebounds for Carroll, which made seven 3-pointers and 19 of 25 free throws. 
The Pioneers forced 23 turnovers but were outrebounded 38-21, including a key 30-13 margin on the defensive glass.
Freshman guard/forward Derek Dotlich had a team-high 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds for Elmhurst, which improved to 1-1 in conference and 3-4 overall. Senior forward Caleb Mowry had 12 points with senior forward Jalen Loving and junior guard Chris Parrilli each adding 10 points for the Bluejays, who shot 60 percent from the field.