Whitewater, Wis. – The Carroll University Pioneers stayed with the No. 23 team in the nation in UW-Whitewater, but the Pioneers could not overcome the Warhawk's hot streaks, falling 68-55. Sophomore guard
Sierra Grubor finished with a team high 13 points and two rebounds.
The Pioneers shot only 34% from the field (18-53 FGM), despite a 19 point quarter going 6-14 from the field. The Pios were outscored by 11 in the second half.
Kayla Stefka and
Brooke Foster came off the bench to score six a piece, leading the bench to 27 total points compared to the Warhawks' 20.
Elizabeth Behrndt hauled in four of the 26 Pioneer rebounds, but couldn't match the size of the Warhawks, who grabbed 39. Junior guard assisted on three baskets in 15 minutes of action.
In the first half, the Pioneers responded to nearly all of the Warhawks scoring runs. When the competition jumped out to a 5-0 run, Grubor responded with two scores in the paint. Free throws and a jumper from Stefka brought the game back to a tie before the Warhawks capitalized before the end of the quarter. The Warhawks led off the second quarter with a 6-0 run, but a jumper and free throws from Foster help cut the lead down to two.
Megan Madsen added a layup and a three to keep the Warhawks from taking control of the game.
The Warhawk's Becky Raeder was able to score 14 of her 21 points in the second half, but the Pios struggled to overcome the scoring runs in the second half.
Alyssa Cruz added in a jumper before the Warhawks took off to gain a nine point lead late in the third.
Amanda Hooks cut the lead to 7, but foul trouble from Behrndt and Madsen gave the Warhawks an opportunity to take control. The Warhawks started the fourth on another hot 13-4 run before the Pios could react. The Pioneers were able to muster only 13 points in the quarter on the way to the loss.
The women will continue their road trip to Millikin this Saturday in Decatur, Ill. in a CCIW double header with the men's team. Stay up to date on Carroll women's basketball this season by going online to www.gopios.com, or by following the Pioneers on Facebook (Carroll University Athletics), Twitter (@pio_athletics), and Instagram (@pio_athletics).
