WAUKESHA, Wis. – The Carroll University men's basketball team defeated the Northland College Lumberjacks in the 2021-22 season opener by a score of 85-51. Justin Steinike scored 14 of his 22 points in the second half for his new career-high on Sunday afternoon. Trenton Nickel hauled in five rebounds while Tyler Miller handed out five assists.
 
The Pioneers (1-0, 0-0 CCIW) shot 47.7% from the floor, making 31-65 shots. Carroll dominated in the paint, outscoring Northland 42-16 on 71% shooting inside the restricted area. The Pio bench went deep, adding an additional 28 points, led by Nickel and freshman guard Aaron Wafford. Carroll collected 13 steals on 24 Lumberjack turnovers and turned that into 33 points.
 
 After the first five minutes of the 2021-22 season, the game was tied 9-9 before Josh Hudgens (CAREER HIGH 16 PTS, 4 REB) knocked down a three to start an 11-2 Carroll run. Northland had cut the lead to four with 8:56 remaining in the first half, but Carroll jumped back out in front with a 17-4 run. Steinike grabbed a fast break layup off one of his steals to bring the score to 45-28 at the end of half number one.
Carroll broke the lead open to 20 points early on in the second half, off a fast-break layup from Steinike. Steinike went on an 8-3 run of his own to advance the lead to 27 with 12:36 remaining. Wafford gave Carroll a 37-point lead, the largest lead of the night, scoring on a pull-up jump shot outside the paint with 9:45 left.  Coach Combs went to the bench to finish the night, seeing strong performances by Eckahelo Simpson and Marshawn Fullilove.
 
The Pioneers travel to the Illinois Institute of Technology on Tuesday, November 9.