WAUKESHA, Wis. - Freshman point guard Alyssa Cruz (West Allis, Wis.) registered a double-double by contributing a team-high 20 points with three baskets from 3-point range, 7 of 10 free throws, 10 rebounds, eight assists and three steals to lead the Carroll University women's basketball team to a 72-64 victory over third-place Augustana College in a College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin game at Van Male Field House on Saturday afternoon.
It was the third conference victory of the season for Carroll, which improved to 3-8 in the league standings and 8-12 overall with the hard-fought Alumni Day performance.
The statement-making effort took on added meaning as it equaled the team's total number of victories from last season and avenged a 69-56 road loss to the Vikings from earlier this season.
The game was tied 48-48 but the Pioneers responded with a key, momentum-shifting 10-4 run over the course of the final three minutes of the third quarter.
It proved to be a critical turning point in the game as Carroll outscored the Vikings 14-12 in the fourth quarter - including five unanswered points during the opening three minutes.
Cruz, who recorded her fourth collegiate double-double and currently is second in program history for assists in a single season with 115, capped the decisive third-quarter scoring surge with four consecutive points - highlighted by a layup and two free throws.
"With all of our injuries and having lost to Augustana earlier in the season, it was nice to be able to come back this time around, play up to our potential and get the victory," said a smiling Cruz, who is averaging 10.8 points per game this season and converted a 3-pointer from the right side of the perimeter to extend the lead to 61-52 with 8:33 remaining. "During the second half, we really attempted to drive the ball hard to the basket and create opportunities. As that happened, I was either able to finish with a layup or kick the ball out if the defense collapsed in the lane. It led to a lot of easy buckets, we built a lead and then hit some clutch free throws down the stretch to put the game out of reach.
"Being Alumni Day, we really wanted to come out and show what we are capable of doing on the court in a big-game situation. Even though we're a young team, it was nice to make a statement and earn some more respect. Over the course of the past couple of weeks, we've been struggling so it was great to be able to play well on both ends of the floor and get the job done. Individually, it was my best game of the season and I was really happy with how everything came together."
Sophomore center Katie Rossetti (Wauconda, Ill.) followed with a double-double with 14 points, team-best 10 rebounds, four blocked shots, one assist and a steal for Carroll, which made eight 3-pointers, 18 of 36 free throws and shot 38.3 percent from field-goal range.
Rossetti was a force in the paint for the Pioneers, contributing four of her eight second-half points during the third-quarter run - finishing on a hard-driving layup off an impressive no-look, touch-pass by Cruz to increase the lead to 50-48 with 2:56 left.
"Heading into the third quarter, we wanted to carry the momentum over from the first half and show that we can compete with anyone," Rossetti said. "It was all about playing strong on both ends, hitting it hard on the boards and doing our best to stick to our style of game. Looking back, it felt like it took forever for the final buzzer to sound but it was the best feeling in the world. It's one of those moments you live for and makes all of the hard work worthwhile.
"We've faced a lot of adversity throughout the season so to be able to come out and play a complete game like this from start to finish really showed what this team is all about. Even though we're young, this game proved that anything is possible if we work hard and play consistently each time. Being Alumni Day, we really wanted to show that we have the ability to play very good basketball so it was a great feeling to accomplish that goal. I was just really proud of the effort."
Freshman forward Kayla Stefka (Johnsburg, Ill.) had 14 points with three 3-pointers, six rebounds and a blocked shot.
Stefka provided a crucial early spark for the Pioneers, scoring 11 points in the momentum-building first quarter, including a 3-point basket from the left baseline to open the game.
Sophomore point guard Emily Majerus (Plymouth, Wis.) chipped in 10 points - including a 3-pointer and 5 of 8 free throws - two assists and two steals for Carroll, which outrebounded the Vikings 45-38 - maintaining a key 17-15 advantage on the offensive glass. Freshman guard Sierra Grubor (Milwaukee, Wis.) added nine points, three rebounds and a steal.
"It was just an awesome effort," said Carroll third-year head coach Lindsay Schultz, who praised the way her determined eight-player lineup rose to the occasion and paid tribute to the large group of alumni in attendance (including former players Erin Erickson, Heather Nelson, Miranda Goen, Malory Christenson, Deanna Kassens, Krista (Rode) Hemphill, Nicolette Rini, Emily DeNoyer, Courtney Fryatt, Amy Ekhoff (Beaver), Corrine Engels, Brittney Wald, Cailin Loose, Kayla Smithback, Hilary Arthur and Kelly Menden) with the inspired effort on Ted H. Baker Court. "It was our third straight victory on Alumni Day and couldn't have come at a better time. Considering that we were on a little bit of a skid and down some people because of injuries, it was exciting to see everyone rally together and fight each step of the way.
"This game is a true testament to this team and the approach it has taken the entire season. Every single person stepped up and contributed to a special victory. Hopefully, we can use it as a good confidence builder as we move forward."
Senior guard Izzy Anderson scored a game-high 24 points for Augustana, which dropped to 5-6 in conference and 11-9 overall. Junior guard Alexis Jones had 15 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two blocked shots and a steal for the Vikings, who made five 3-pointers, 15 of 17 free throws and shot 37.9 percent from the field.

PIONEER FAST FACTS
What: The Carroll University women's basketball team defeated third-place Augustana College 72-64 in a College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin game at Van Male Field House on Saturday afternoon.
Records: 3-8 in the CCIW and 8-12 overall
Scoring Leaders: Alyssa Cruz (20 points), Katie Rossetti (14 points), Kayla Stefka (14 points), Emily Majerus (10 points), Sierra Grubor (9 points)
Rebound Leaders: Cruz (10), Rossetti (10), Stefka (6), Celina Schwantes (6), Grubor (3)
Notable: The game was tied 48-48 but the Pioneers responded with a key, momentum-shifting 10-4 run over the course of the final three minutes of the third quarter.
Alumni in attendance: Erin Erickson, Heather Nelson, Miranda Goen, Malory Christenson, Deanna Kassens, Krista (Rode) Hemphill, Nicolette Rini, Emily DeNoyer, Courtney Fryatt, Amy Ekhoff (Beaver), Corrine Engels, Brittney Wald, Cailin Loose, Kayla Smithback, Whitney Erickson, Hilary Arthur and Kelly Menden