WAUKESHA, Wis. - Katie Rossetti finished the job with authority.
Rossetti, a 6-foot-2 freshman forward from Wauconda, Ill., registered a double-double with a game-high 17 points, season-high 16 rebounds, six blocked shots and two assists to lead the Carroll University women's basketball team to a 52-43 victory over North Central College in a College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin game at Van Male Field House on Saturday afternoon.
It was the first home-court conference victory of the season for Carroll, which improved to 2-2 in the highly contested league standings and 5-8 overall.
Trailing 43-42 in the fourth quarter, the Pioneers showed their resilience by answering with what proved to be a decisive 10-0 run over the course of the final five minutes - converting 8 of 12 pressure-packed free throws in the process.
Rossetti was poised down the stretch, making 5 of 6 free throws during the critical spree - highlighted by two shots to claim a 44-43 lead with 4:22 remaining.
"Coming off the tough loss to North Park, we wanted to come out strong, prove we're a great team and earn respect within the conference," said Rossetti, who had nine points in the second half. "Throughout the day, everyone fought hard on each possession, worked together and contributed to a great finish at the end of the game. It was a good confidence-boosting victory that showed that we can't be overlooked and will serve as a good motivator moving forward.
"With my entire high school basketball team watching in the stands, I just wanted to step up and show what it takes to play at the collegiate level. When the score was close and my teammates were counting on me, it was satisfying to be able to work through the pressure, make some big free throws and help finish it off on a high note."
Senior guard Brittney Wald (Antigo, Wis.) followed with 11 points, seven rebounds and an assist for the Pioneers, who made 12 of 20 free throws, two baskets from 3-point range and shot 35.2 percent from field-goal range.
Wald, a second-team all-conference selection in the CCIW last year, made a crucial mid-range jumper to increase the lead to 48-43 with 3:07 left.
Freshman small forward Delaney Sjong (Salem, Wis.) chipped in eight points, 14 rebounds and an assist for Carroll, which outrebounded the Cardinals by a 53-42 margin - maintaining a key 40-26 on the defensive glass. 
Junior guard/forward Rachel Van Sluys (Sheboygan, Wis.) had eight points - including two free throws with 37.8 seconds remaining - and pulled down eight rebounds. Freshman point guard Mallory Olszak (Crete, Ill.) added six points, three assists, three steals and a blocked shot.
Olszak made a confidence-building, buzzer-beating NBA-range 3-pointer at the end of the second quarter to extend the lead to 36-25 at the intermission.
Carroll second-year head coach Lindsay Schultz was pleased with her team's ability to snap back from a difficult loss and respond with a resilient performance.
"We really showed our maturity in the fourth quarter," said Schultz, noting her team's intensity on the defensive end. "During the second half, it was hard because we couldn't get anything going offensively and committed some foolish turnovers. At that point, we stepped up to the challenge and answered by playing strong defense. That's when we started to execute our press better, made just enough free throws to provide a cushion and put the game out of reach.
"As opposed to the game versus North Park, our composure down the stretch made the difference. Hopefully, we can build off of the experience and continue to make progress in the games to come."
Senior guard Mayson Whipple scored a team-high eight points for North Central, which dropped to 1-3 in conference and 3-10 overall.
Sophomore forward Hannah Vitkus had seven points for the Cardinals, who made 4 of 8 free throws, seven 3-pointers and shot 22.9 percent from the field.

PIONEER FAST FACTS
What: The Carroll University women's basketball team defeated North Central College 52-43 in a College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin showdown at Van Male Field House on Saturday afternoon.
Record: 2-2 in conference and 5-8 overall
Scoring Leaders: Katie Rossetti (17 points), Brittney Wald (11 points), Delaney Sjong (8 points), Rachel Van Sluys (8 points), Mallory Olszak (6 points)
Rebound Leaders: Rossetti (16), Sjong (14), Van Sluys (8), Wald (7)
Notable: Trailing 43-42 in the fourth quarter, the Pioneers showed their resilience by answering with what proved to be a decisive 10-0 run over the course of the final five minutes - converting eight pressure-packed free throws in the process.