WAUKESHA, Wis. - The evening belonged to Charlie Soule.
Soule, a 6-foot-2 sophomore forward from Oregon, Wis., scored a career-high 26 points to lead the Carroll University men's basketball team to a gritty, hard-fought 68-49 victory over North Park University in a College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin game at Van Male Field House on Wednesday night.
It was the first conference victory of the season for Carroll, which improved to 1-6 in the league standings and 5-11 overall.
The Pioneers led 31-26 at the intermission and outscored North Park 37-23 in the second half - including 
what proved to be a decisive 23-6 run over the course of the final 10 minutes.
Soule, who converted 8 of 11 free throws and grabbed a team-best eight rebounds, powered the critical run with nine straight points - highlighted by a mid-court steal and uncontested layup to extend the lead to 51-44 with 6:44 remaining.
"It was the best game of my collegiate career," said a smiling Soule, who scored 17 points in the second half and exited the game to a rousing ovation from the appreciative fans in the stands with 1:49 remaining. "Throughout the evening, my teammates did a great job of passing the ball when I would cut hard to the basket. As that happened, I just tried to make the most of the opportunities and finish.
"Everyone just played unselfishly on each possession, showcased a lot of great teamwork and executed from beginning to end. When we were able to spread the floor, it opened a lot of lanes to drive the ball hard to the basket and everything came together. We hadn't been playing the best recently so it was nice to be back home and feeding off the adrenaline of the home crowd. It was just a great overall performance."
Sophomore guard Nick Penny (Lake Zurich, Ill.) contributed 13 points with three 3-point baskets for Carroll, which made 14 of 17 free throws, six 3-pointers and shot 49 percent from field-goal range. Sophomore forward Kale Maupin (Peotone, Ill.) chipped in seven points with senior guard/forward Tanner Zaeske (South Milwaukee, Wis.) and senior guard Michael Keane (Northbrook, Ill.) each adding five points.
The Pioneers, whose tenacious defensive effort forced 13 turnovers, outrebounded North Park 36-30 - including key 31-22 margin on the defensive glass.
"This victory was really a testament to the team's character and resilience," said Carroll fifth-year head coach Paul Combs, noting that his team-played five of its first six conference games on the road (including an inspired loss to second-ranked Augustana). "We've been involved in a lot of close games and just keep improving each time we step on the floor. It seems like there's always someone different stepping up and tonight it was Charlie's time to step in the spotlight. When he plays well, the team plays well and that's what happened this time."
Junior guard Billy Kirby scored a team-high 12 points for North Park, which dropped to 1-6 in conference and 4-11 overall.

PIONEER FAST FACTS
What: The Carroll University men's basketball team defeated North Park 68-49 in a College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin showdown at Van Male Field House on Wednesday night.
Record: 1-6 in conference and 5-11 overall
Scoring Leaders: Charlie Soule (26 points), Nick Penny (13 points), Kale Maupin (7 points), Tanner Zaeske (5 points), Michael Keane (5 points)
Rebound Leaders: Soule (8), Zaeske (5), Penny (4), Tyler Ingebrigtsen (3), Anthony Marlowe (3)
Notable: The Pioneers led 31-26 at the intermission and outscored North Park 37-23 in the second half - including what proved to be a decisive 23-6 run over the course of the final 10 minutes.