NAPERVILLE, Ill. - Freshman guard Sierra Grubor (Milwaukee, Wis.) scored 13 of her game-high 20 points in the first half as the Carroll University women's basketball team defeated North Central College 72-65 in a College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin game at Gregory Arena on Wednesday night.
It was the second consecutive victory for Carroll, which improved to 2-2 in the highly contested conference standings and 7-6 overall.
The Pioneers, who have won four of their last five games, led 37-35 at halftime and outscored North Central 19-15 in the pivotal third quarter - highlighted by what proved to be a game-changing 10-4 run over the course of the final three minutes.
The critical scoring surge consisted of two free throws by sophomore point guard Emily Majerus (Plymouth, Wis.), a successful three-point play by sophomore center Katie Rossetti (Wauconda, Ill.), a layup by Majerus and a 3-point basket from sophomore guard Hailey Herriges (Kewaskum, Wis.).
North Central trimmed the deficit to five points twice within the final 29 seconds of regulation but couldn't get any closer.
Carroll showcased its depth and balance with eight players reaching the scoring column, including four in double figures.
Grubor, who is averaging 9.9 points per game, finished in double digits in scoring for the fifth time this season.
Freshman point guard Alyssa Cruz (West Allis, Wis.) followed with 14 points, highlighted by 5 of 6 free throws within the final 50 seconds, six rebounds and six assists for the Pioneers, who converted three baskets from 3-point range, 15 of 19 free throws and shot 42.9 percent from field-goal range. Rossetti contributed 13 points, three rebounds and a steal while Majerus had 12 points, five rebounds and four assists for Carroll, which scored 42 points in the paint and outrebounded the Cardinals 46-32 - maintaining a dominant 34-22 advantage on the defensive glass.
Freshman center Celina Schwantes (Pewaukee, Wis.) added five points, a team-best nine rebounds and a blocked shot.
Junior forward Natali Dimitrova finished with a team-high 16 points and six rebounds for North Central, which dropped to 1-4 in conference and 3-11 overall. Freshman guard Allison Pearson had 15 points with three 3-pointers and freshman guard Alanna Newsome added 14 points with 5 of 6 free throws for the Cardinals, who made eight 3-pointers, 13 of 18 free throws and shot 33.3 percent from the field.