Wheaton, Ill. – The Carroll University women's basketball team went on the road to win in strong fashion against the Wheaton College Thunder in a CCIW matchup Wednesday night.
Sierra Grubor led the way with a game high 20 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter.
Kate Christian added 12 points of her own to go along with eight rebounds.
The Pioneers (6-9, 2-5 CCIW) come off a three game conference losing skid. The women made 22-30 free throws tonight, and scored 31 points in the fourth quarter to seal the thriller. The women dominated the Thunder in rebounding, despite their size.
Brooke Foster and
Kayla Stefka came off the bench and contributed with 12 and 11 points of their own. Foster knocked down a career high four three-point baskets on her way to her career high point total. The women took care of the rock as well tonight, giving up under 15 turnovers for the third time in the last four contests.
"I am just really proud of our team" quoted Head Coach
Lindsay Schultz, "It was a huge win against a tough opponent, especially since we have struggled to close out games this year. I thought we stayed mentally tough down the stretch tonight by playing each possession at a time, executing both offensively and defensively, and finishing it off with free throws."
In the first quarter, Foster and the bench led the charge. Foster's second three of the quarter helped the Pios bring the score to 10 a piece. Wheaton was able to take advantage of four turnovers and turn it into points, and lead by five at the end of the first 10 minutes. The Thunder nailed back to back threes of their own to kick off the second quarter, but Grubor stepped up big with free throws to keep the lead close. Stefka provided a big and one to bring the women up one with just under four minutes remaining. After the dust settled, Wheaton found themselves up one after the first half.
Christian knocked down a corner three and
Megan Madsen made a layup to start the second half, but went quiet for their next nine shot attempts before Stekfa added in another layup. Stefka stepped up to the line twice in the third quarter, making 2-4 at the line. Christian drove into the lane with a minute left to bring the score to 42-44 in favor of Wheaton going into the final quarter.
An 8-3 Carroll run helped the Pios take the lead quickly into the fourth quarter. Grubor was hacked on her way to the basket, and knocked down both to take a 4 point lead. Foster connected on a corner three to bring the lead to seven. Foster and
Theresa Wichser added six more points late to bring the lead up to nine with 1:59 left in the contest. The Thunder played the foul game with a minute thirty remaining, but took advantage and went on a 5-1 run with 49.1 remaining. Grubor quickly silenced the crowd with two straight charity stripe points. The Pios ended the game on a 8-4 run on all Carroll free throws.
"It is exciting to watch this team continue to gain more confidence and grow together" finished Schultz. The women will host Illinois Wesleyan this Saturday at 2 PM inside Van Male Field House in Waukesha. 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).
