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Carroll University Athletics

Scoreboard

Scoreboard

Kylie Bridenhagen
59
Winner North Central (IL) NCC 19-4,12-2 CCIW
55
Carroll (WI) CAR 11-12,4-10 CCIW
Winner
North Central (IL) NCC
19-4,12-2 CCIW
59
Final
55
Carroll (WI) CAR
11-12,4-10 CCIW
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
North Central (IL) NCC 33 26 59
Carroll (WI) CAR 25 30 55

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

Energized second-half comeback falls short in emotional loss to No. 14 North Central

Pioneers nearly pull upset but eliminated from CCIW Tournament contention with 59-55 home-court setback

WAUKESHA, Wis. - Senior guard Nick Penny, junior guard/forward Tarren Hall and sophomore guard/forward Blake Williams each contributed 10 points as the Carroll University men's basketball team lost to first-place No. 14-ranked North Central College 59-55 in a spirited, hard-fought College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin game at Van Male Field House on Saturday afternoon.
It was a gut-wrenching, emotional home-court loss for Carroll, which dropped to 4-10 in the conference standings and 11-12 overall.
Despite the energized statement-making second-half comeback and near upset, the Pioneers were officially eliminated from the CCIW Tournament race with the disappointing final outcome.
Five of the team's conference losses have come by a four-point margin.
Carroll - which trailed 33-25 at the intermission following a hard-fought first half - showcased its heart, determination and resilience by gradually erasing the eight-point deficit and trimming the deficit to one point within the final minute.
Clinging to a 56-55 lead with 34.5 seconds remaining, North Central capitalized on a costly Carroll hand-check foul as senior forward Connor Raridon promptly made two clutch, pressure-packed free throws to help seal the victory.
Following a North Central timeout, Carroll drove down court but came up empty on a layup attempt with 16 seconds left.
The Pioneers immediately fouled and North Central's Aiden Chang responded by making a free throw with seven seconds remaining for the final margin.
Senior forward Kale Maupin and junior point guard Ryan Clarey each finished with six points for Carroll, which converted seven 3-point baskets, 12 of 14 free throws and shot 38.3 percent (18-of-47) from field-goal range. Senior guard David Anilus and junior guard Justin Gruber had five points each with senior forward Charlie Soule adding three points.
It was a disheartening loss in more ways than one as Penny, a second-team all-conference selection last year and the team's top sharpshooter, was injured while making a strong, aggressive move to the basket with 3:03 remaining in the physical contest. He was helped off the floor and did not return.
"We not only lost the game but more importantly lost Nick and then were eliminated from the CCIW Tournament ontop of it so it was a tough day," Hall said. "North Central was a really good team and we showed once again that we can compete with them. We were right in it but unfortunately just didn't get the final outcome we wanted.
"It's really tough because we've shown that we have the ability to play with the best teams in the conference. Things just haven't gone our way this season."
Carroll seventh-year head coach Paul Combs was proud of his team's relentless performance against the first-place, nationally-ranked Cardinals.
"We fought and fought, played with great pride and attacked from beginning to end," said Combs, of his team's tenacious, determined 40-minute effort. "The loss is one thing but not nearly as important as Nick Penny and his health. Our thoughts are with him and his family because he means so much to the program.
"The CCIW is a man's league so it was a fight until the final buzzer. North Central is a very good, veteran-heavy team with two redshirt seniors and we battled right to the end. We had our share of opportunities throughout the game and then missed on a good look at the rim with time winding down. To his credit, Connor Raridon stepped up and made the big free throws with the game on the line. Even though it didn't work out in our favor, it wasn't from a lack of effort.
"This loss officially eliminated us from the CCIW Tournament race so now we turn our focus to the final week of the season, the final two games and honoring our seniors."
Six-foot-five senior forward Matt Cappelletti scored a game-high 18 points with two 3-pointers, eight rebounds and a steal to lead North Central, which clinched a share of the conference championship by improving to 12-2 in league and 19-4 overall. Junior guard Blaise Meredith had 13 points and Raridon added nine points for the Cardinals, who made eight 3-pointers, 13 of 20 free throws and shot 43.2 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 lost to first-place No. 14-ranked North Central College 59-55 in a hard-fought College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin game at Van Male Field House on Saturday afternoon.
Records: 4-10 in CCIW and 11-12 overall
Scoring leaders: Nick Penny (10 points), Tarren Hall (10 points), Blake Williams (10 points), Kale Maupin (6 points), Ryan Clarey (6 points), David Anilus (5 points), Justin Gruber (5 points), Charlie Soule (3 points)

 
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