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Carroll University Athletics

Scoreboard

Scoreboard

Kylie Bridenhagen
61
Wheaton (IL) WHEIL 13-9,7-6 CCIW
74
Winner Carroll (WI) CAR 11-11,4-9 CCIW
Wheaton (IL) WHEIL
13-9,7-6 CCIW
61
Final
74
Carroll (WI) CAR
11-11,4-9 CCIW
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Wheaton (IL) WHEIL 31 30 61
Carroll (WI) CAR 34 40 74

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | By Jeff Hagenau

Pioneers respond with inspirational home-court victory

Penny, Maupin star as Carroll defeats CCIW rival Wheaton to keep tourney hopes alive with three games remaining

WAUKESHA, Wis. - Senior guard Nick Penny scored a career-high 27 points with six 3-point baskets, 5 of 6 free throws, two rebounds, two assists and a steal in playing a team-high 37 minutes as the Carroll University men's basketball team defeated spirited rival Wheaton College 74-61 in a College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin game at Van Male Field House on Wednesday night.
It was the second consecutive resilient home-court victory for Carroll, which improved to 4-9 in the highly contested conference standings and 11-11 overall.
The Pioneers, who are seeking their second straight trip to the prestigious six-team CCIW Tournament, remain in sole possession of seventh place with three regular-season league games remaining (including two home-court contests).
North Central (11-2), Augustana (10-4), Illinois Wesleyan (9-4), Elmhurst (9-5), Carthage (7-6) and Wheaton (7-6) currently hold the top six spots in the tournament race.
Trailing 40-39 with 17:33 remaining, Carroll responded with what proved to be a decisive, game-changing 12-2 run over the course of a critical six-minute stretch.
Penny - a second-team all-conference selection last year - ignited the momentum-shifting scoring surge with five straight points, highlighted by a high-arcing 3-pointer to extend the lead to 45-39 with 15:24 left.
"Obviously, our backs are to the wall right now but we answered by playing probably what was our best game of the season from start to finish," said Penny, who also equaled his career-high for 3-point baskets in a single game and has scored 980 points during his four years with the Pioneers. "Looking back on it, we avoided any potential slip ups so we're very happy with what did out there tonight. It's something we will continue to build from. We knew that we had that type of effort in us and it was refreshing to be able to close the game out."
Penny was quick to point out two crucial turning points in the second half, including a gritty layup by junior point guard Ryan Clarey to give Carroll a 40-36 lead and key defensive play by sophomore guard/forward Blake Williams to absorb an aggressive charge and draw the offensive foul as Wheaton attempted to rally with 9:08 remaining.
"Coach (Paul) Combs always talks about fighting hard on every possession and playing with pride in the program so it was great to do that once again," said Penny, who nailed his fourth 3-pointer of the first half on a buzzer-beating shot from the left baseline to regain a 34-31 lead for the Pioneers. "Every game means even more at this point in the season so we just have to bring our best to the floor in both practice and the game situations and see what happens. As a team, this was one of the better efforts we've had during my time at Carroll. We know it will be a challenge to make the tournament so we just have to continue to play as a team for a solid 40 minutes from here on out."
Senior forward Kale Maupin equaled his career high by contributing a strong 21 points with three 3-pointers, 2 of 2 free throws, a team-best five steals, four rebounds and an assist in 34 minutes for Carroll, which converted 11 3-pointers, 11 of 15 free throws and shot 44.1 percent from field-goal range.
Maupin was a tenacious force in the second half, scoring seven points to help power the game-changing second-half run - highlighted by a determined inside basket in the paint, a wide-open fist-pumping 3-pointer from the top, right portion of the perimeter (to extend the lead to 50-41 with 13:03 remaining) along with a key mid-court steal and breakaway layup to cap the critical spree.
"We put together a complete effort for the first time in 2020," said Maupin, who scored 14 points in the second half. "Both defensively and offensively, we were consistent throughout the course of the first and second halves and then finished it off. It was a huge victory and should give us a lot of momentum heading into Saturday (referring to a home-court showdown with first-place and No. 14-ranked North Central). "Right now, we're playing with a chip on our shoulder and just have to continue competing with confidence each time we step on the floor. Our scout team did a great job in helping prepare us for this match-up and played a key role in our success. Tonight, we flourished and fed off of the energy of the crowd each step of the way. From start to finish, it was all about sticking to the gameplan, focusing on each possession and executing for a full 40 minutes. It's something we've struggled to do this season so it was great to see it all come together in a big game when it counted the most."
Clarey, who also contributed an efficient 34 minutes, followed with 10 points, two assists, one rebound, one blocked shot and a steal.
Junior guard Tarren Hall finished with nine points, a team-high seven rebounds, two assists, one rebound and a steal for the Pioneers, who forced 19 turnovers, scored 22 points off of turnovers and shot 56 percent from 3-point range in the second half. Williams and senior forward Charlie Soule each added three points.
"I was very proud of our guys tonight as it was truly a team effort," said Carroll seventh-year head coach Paul Combs, whose team led 34-31 at the intermission following a physical first half. "We were locked in the entire game on both ends and played with terrific energy for an entire 40 minutes."
Junior forward Cade Alioth finished with a team-high 17 points and eight rebounds for Wheaton, which dropped to 7-6 in conference and 13-9 overall. Junior guard Luke Anthony had 15 points for the Thunder, who made seven 3-pointers, 10 of 16 free throws and shot 55 percent from the field.
Stay up to date on Carroll men'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).

PIONEER FAST FACTS
What: The Carroll University men's basketball team defeated spirited rival Wheaton College 74-61 in a College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin game at Van Male Field House on Wednesday night.
Records: 4-9 in CCIW and 11-11 overall
Scoring Leaders: Nick Penny (27 points), Kale Maupin (21 points), Ryan Clarey (10 points), Tarren Hall (9 points), Charlie Soule (3 points), Blake Williams (3 points), David Anilus (1 point)
Notable: Trailing 40-39 with 17:33 remaining, Carroll responded with what proved to be a decisive, game-changing 12-2 run over the course of a critical six-minute stretch. Penny scored a career-high 27 points with six 3-pointers and Maupin completed the dominant 1-2 punch by equaling his career high with 21 points.

 
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