WAUKESHA, Wis. - The Carroll University women's basketball team began the new year by continuing its positive rebuilding process.
Despite losing to high-powered North Central College 117-86 in a College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin game at Van Male Field House on Wednesday evening, Carroll clearly showcased the progress it has made since the beginning of the season.
It was a season-high point total for the young, scrappy Pioneers, who dropped to 0-3 in the conference standings and 0-11 overall.
Forced to deal with the daunting challenge of competing with only seven players and facing the CCIW's top offense, Carroll responded with an inspired effort in an attempt to offset the Cardinals' brutal run-and-gun uptempo style, pressing defense, deep roster and steady, five-player rotations (similar to the style used by the nationally recognized Grinnell College men's team of the Midwest Conference). 
The Pioneers were outscored 62-40 in the first half - including what proved to be a decisive 27-16 margin in the second quarter.
Carroll trimmed the deficit to 48-40 during the spree but fell victim to a back-breaking 12-6 run over the course of the final four minutes.
Carroll showcased its grit, talent and athleticism throughout the night with all seven of their active players reaching the scoring column, highlighted by four in double digits.
Sophomore 5-foot-6 guard Sara Hartl (Racine, Wis.) scored 13 of her career-high 24 points in the second half for the Pioneers, who made 14 of 21 free throws, converted two baskets from 3-point range and shot 47 percent from field-goal range.
Hartl was an energized leader throughout the battle, making 10 field goals, 3 of 4 free throws and grabbing six rebounds.
"It was my career high (for a single game) and very exciting to earn that type of individual accolade," said Hartl, who delivered a warrior-esque performance by fighting through the fatigue and playing 35 minutes. "I couldn't have done it without my teammates because there were a lot of fastbreak opportunities and they did a great job of passing me the ball. Looking back, I was very thankful for the chances and just attempted to make the most of each situation.
"It was very difficult to battle through the fatigue but our main focus was on maintaining the intensity and executing possession by possession. Being the first season of a two year-plan, it's exciting to be a part of it and see all of the progress we've made since the beginning. Everyone is working hard and looking forward to where we're headed in the future."
Junior forward Morgan Lund (Mondovi, Wis.) registered a double-double by scoring 18 points and ripping down a game-high 15 rebounds in playing 31 minutes.
"Being a young team with limited numbers, we knew it would be tough but really rose to the challenge and fought hard every step of the way," said Lund, who made 8 of 9 free throws. "It was really cool to come away with a double-double but even more exciting to see how everyone stepped up. 
"Since the beginning of the season, we've not only grown as a team but as individuals. At this point, we're keeping our heads high, working hard and doing our best to get better every day."
Freshman guard Caylee Koker (Kenosha, Wis.) also had a double-double, finishing with 15 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and three steals for Carroll - which committed a costly 38 turnovers. Senior guard Brittney Wald (Antigo, Wis.) contributed 14 points, eight rebounds and a team-best six assists.
Freshman guard/forward Hannah Kloehn (Marshfield, Wis.) had eight points, five rebounds and two assists for the Pioneers. Sophomore guard Meredith Polzin (Pewaukee, Wis.) added six points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal.
Carroll first-year head coach Lindsay Schultz was proud of the way her short-handed squad responded to the adversity, dug into the challenge and played one of its most competitive games of the season.
"We took another huge step forward tonight," said Schultz, of her team's tenacious four-quarter effort. "Looking back on the effort, we accomplished a lot of nice things when we were able to maintain our composure, stay mentally focused and fight through the fatigue (noting her team's ability to consistently break North Central's press). It's an aspect of the game that we continue learn more about each time we step on the court. 
"We're young and suffer through our share of mental lapses at times but dig in and play hard until the final buzzer. It's exciting and I've been very impressed with our progression."
Senior guard Paula Zerante scored a team-high 22 points to lead North Central, which improved to 2-2 in conference and 8-5 overall. Senior guard Miranda Grizaffi chipped in 18 points on six 3-pointers and freshman forward Natali Dimitrova had 12 points for the Cardinals, who made 15 3-pointers, 12 of 16 free throws and maintained a 60-58 rebound advantage.
Junior guard Michaela Reedy chipped in 10 points for North Central, which came into the contest with the top offense in the CCIW by averaging 91.8 points per game.

PIONEER FAST FACTS
What: Carroll University women's basketball team lost to North Central College 117-86 in a College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin game at Van Male Field House on Wednesday.
Scoring Leaders: Sara Hartl (24 points), Morgan Lund (18 points), Caylee Koker (15 points), Brittney Wald (14 points), Hannah Kloehn (8 points), Meredith Polzin (6 points)
Rebound Leaders: Lund (15), Koker (14), Wald (8), Hartl (6), Kloehn (5), Polzin (4)
Notable: Despite being outscored 62-40 in the first half (including what proved to be a decisive 35-24 margin in the opening quarter), the Pioneers generated a season-high point total, shot 47 percent from field-goal range and had four of its seven active players finish in double figures