WAUKESHA, Wis. – The Carroll University Pioneers erased an 18-point deficit to tie the game but was unable to pull away from Concordia University Wisconsin Falcons in the opening game of the 2021 Pioneer Tip-Off Classic, falling 69-74 at Van Male Field House. Justin Gruber scored 15 points in the second half to lead the team along with three assists. Paradisio Dante pulled in nine rebounds and three Pios tied with three steals.
 
The Pioneers (1-2, 0-0 CCIW) shot dismally in the first half, only converting 10 of 34 field goals. Carroll came back stronger finishing the second half shooting 39.4% for the game, including 9-24 from three. Carroll foul trouble gave the Falcons 14 points from the free-throw line, as the visiting team shot 51% in the game. The Carroll bench scored 36 points of the team's 69, led by Dante's 14 points and Ethan Balinao's 11. The Pios picked up 16 steals on 21 Concordia turnovers.
 
The first basket of the game took a few minutes to go down, as Concordia took the initial 2-0 lead with 16:55 remaining in the first half. The Falcons took a 17-point lead from a 15-2 run with five minutes remaining, but Dante grabbed a second-chance layup to help stop the bleeding. Carroll ended the half on an 8-3 run led by Kobe Simpson's two three-point baskets.
 
Once CUW took an 18-point lead with 16:38 left in the game, Justin Gruber lit up the defense, knocking down three-straight three-point baskets. Dante slammed home a fast-break dunk to bring the lead down to nine with 12:24 left, forcing a Concordia time-out. Balinao went on a 4-0 run to cut the lead to four, and Gruber knocked down a fast break three to bring the score to 51-52. Freshly substituted Gio Carrillo gave Carroll the one-point lead with 4:19 remaining in the game. CUW responded with an 8-0 run to go up seven with 1:37 remaining. Carroll had chances playing the foul game, but it was the Falcons who stayed strong and persevered to win by five.
 
Carroll will face Aurora at 4 PM on the final day of the tournament. Aurora fell to Coe earlier Friday night by a score of 67-69.