Waukesha, Wis. – The Carroll University women's basketball team was stifled by Illinois Wesleyan tonight in Van Male Field House by a score of 83 – 69. The Pioneers pulled within nine late in the fourth quarter, but the Titans finished on a 9-4 run.
Alyssa Cruz, who came off the bench, was the leading scorer for the Pioneers, finishing with 13 points (6-7 FTM) and six assists.
Sierra Grubor and
Kayla Stefka finished each with six rebounds, with 10 and seven points, respectively.
The Pioneers (6-10, 2-6 CCIW) have lost four of their last five, and are now 1-4 in home contests. The two-time CCIW women's basketball player of the week Kendall Sosa finished with 31 points on a career high six three-pointers made. The women Pios shot 39.1% from the field, with a team high 46% in the second quarter. Their efforts could not combat the Titan's 47.5% from the field for the entirety of the contest. The women were outmatched rebounding, trailing 41-31, despite Stefka's 4 offensive boards. The women had opportunities to capitalize on 21 IWU team fouls, but were only able to manage 14-24 (58.3% FTM) from the charity stripe
Katie Evans (11pts, 3-7 3PM) knocked down two threes to take a 6-0 lead out of the gate for Carroll. Unfortunately, that would be the last time the Pioneers led all game, with the Titans advancing on a 16-2 tear and a barrage of three-pointers. Stefka, Grubor, and
Elizabeth Behrndt (8 pts, 5 reb) were able to cut the lead down to three, but the Titans finished the first quarter up eight points. Cruz was able to capitalize on a IWU turnover with an and-one bucket early in the second. The Titans were able to gain a lead of 19 points at one point, but a knockdown three from
Kate Christian (5 pts) helped keep the game at bay.
Megan Madsen (8 pts) made a quick layup in the paint with the Pioneer's first possession. Stefka took six shots from the free throw line in the third quarter, but only knocked down two of them. The Pioneers finished with a 12-5 run of their own, shooting 36.4% from the floor and collected six steals. Both teams struggled to gain momentum to start the fourth quarter, but Stefka laid in a bucket to kick off another Pioneer scoring run, this time 10-2. The lead was just too much for the women, as Illinois Wesleyan finished shooting on free throws.
The women have a Wednesday night bye this upcoming week, and will remain in Waukesha for the re-cycle of CCIW opponents. Augustana will come to Van Male Field House next week Saturday. 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).
