WAUKESHA, Wis. - Senior guard/forward Joel Heesch (Mauston, Wis.) and sophomore guard Nick Penny (Lake Zurich, Ill.) each scored a team-high 18 points as the Carroll University men's basketball team defeated Millikin University 76-67 in a College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin game at Van Male Field House on Saturday afternoon.
It was the second consecutive conference victory for Carroll, which celebrated Senior Day by improving to 
7-8 in the league standings and 11-13 overall.
The Pioneers, who have won six of their last seven conference games, outscored Millikin 34-22 in the first half - highlighted by what proved to be a decisive 21-8 run over the course of the opening seven minutes.
The high-powered performance honored Carroll's three seniors - including Heesch, guard/forward Tanner Zaeske (South Milwaukee, Wis.) and guard Michael Keane (Northbrook, Ill.).
Heesch scored four of his six first-half points within the opening two minutes to help set the tone - including a layup to regain an 8-6 lead with 18:10 remaining.
"It was a special day all the way around," said Heesch, who converted 5 of 6 free throws, grabbed a team-best seven rebounds and finished with six assists. "With the season winding down, it was great to come out, feed off of the adrenaline of the awesome crowd and get the victory. Tanner, Mike and I had a lot of family and friends in the stands so it was a good feeling to be able to fight hard each step of the way and find a way to win. It wasn't pretty at times but sometimes that's what it takes to be successful. Even though we're no longer in the race for a spot in the conference tournament, this team has continued to compete and improve with each game.
"Over the course of the season, we've shown our true character as both basketball players and as men in how we have handled the adversity. From start to finish, it has demonstrated that this program will fight hard each step of the way. Carroll basketball is all about family and that came through on the court once again today. As a senior, it was a great to run off the court in the final seconds, hear the cheers from the crowd and celebrate another victory."
Penny contributed six points to help power the first-half run, highlighted by a 3-pointer to extend the lead to 16-6 with 14:10 left and later capped the key stretch by making three straight free throws.
"We were playing this one for the seniors, came out with a lot of energy in the beginning and built a big lead in the first half," said Penny, who made a team-high three 3-pointers and 7 of 8 free throws in the contest. "At that point, we attempted to maintain the momentum the rest of the way but instead became a little complacent at times. That's when Joel (Heesch) took control of the offense in the second half and we began to play up to our potential again.
"With the defense focused on stopping our leaders, it opened things up on the perimeter and we just made the most of the opportunities."
Millikin trimmed the deficit to 71-67 with 1:41 remaining but couldn't get any closer as the Pioneers responded by making 5 of 6 free throws down the stretch.
Sophomore forward Kale Maupin (Peotone, Ill.) contributed 10 points for the Pioneers, who generated 17 assists and outrebounded the Big Blue 33-28.
Zaeske and junior forward Tyler Ingebrigtsen (Elk Grove Village, Ill.) each followed with eight points for Carroll, which converted eight 3-point baskets, 18 of 22 free throws and shot 44.6 percent from field-goal range.
Zaeske had two 3-pointers and currently ranks sixth in program history with 151.
"It was a gritty battle from beginning to end," said Carroll fifth-year head coach Paul Combs, whose team responded to the adversity of losing its first six conference games by winning 7 of 9 since Jan. 17 (including two close losses to nationally-ranked CCIW champion Illinois Wesleyan). "With facing the best of the best every night in this conference, its always a difficult test and today that trend continued. Fortunately, with the game on the line we continued to make plays, came up with some big stops and hit our free throws to hold on. Our energy and enthusiasm ultimately made the difference. Since our Las Vegas trip, we've been a part of a remarkable stretch and have transformed into a tough team.
"Our seniors have been the backbone of our program so it was nice to see them rewarded with a great victory on a very special day. Tanner, Joel and Mike have made lasting contributions to the team and our success down the stretch has really been a testament to their hard work, dedication and commitment. They truly epitomize what Carroll basketball is all about."
Sophomore guard Zach Fisher scored 15 points with five 3-pointers for Millikin, which lost its third straight to drop to 4-12 in conference and 11-14 overall. Sophomore forward Korbin Farmer added 13 points for the Big Blue, who made seven 3-pointers, 4 of 8 free throws and shot 52.8 percent from the field.

PIONEER FAST FACTS
What: The Carroll University men's basketball team defeated Millikin University 76-67 in a College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin game at Van Male Field House on Saturday afternoon.
Record: 7-8 in conference and 11-13 overall
Scoring Leaders: Joel Heesch (18 points), Nick Penny (18 points), Kale Maupin (10 points), Tanner Zaeske (8 points), Tyler Ingebrigtsen (8 points)
Rebound Leaders: Heesch (7), Troy Howat (5), Ray Pierce (5), Zaeske (4), Ingebrigtsen (3)
Notable: The Pioneers, who have won six of their last seven conference games, outscored Millikin 34-22 in the first half - including a 21-8 run over the course of the opening seven minutes en route to the Senior Day victory honoring Heesch, Zaeske and Michael Keane.