Elmhurst, Ill. – The Carroll University men's basketball team overcame a 10-point second-half deficit to pull ahead in the final minutes and defeat the Elmhurst University Bluejays 72-70 on Thursday night. Freshman Justin Steinike led all scorers with 17 points and nine rebounds.
 
The Pioneers (2-2, 2-2 CCIW) had four men finish in double-digits, including Ryan Mendoza (11 pts, 4-8 FG) and Carter Sturgeon (10 pts, 2-5 3PM, 4 ast) off the bench. The team shot 46.4% from the floor, and 10-13 at the free-throw line to help put the game on ice.  The Pioneers made sure to capitalize on the faults of the Bluejays, collecting seven steals off 13 Elmhurst turnovers, and turning that into 14 points for the Pios. Despite being out-rebounded 44-26, the Pios were able to outscore Elmhurst in the paint, 32-26.
 
After a back and forth opening to the contest, Gruber drained a three off a Tyler Miller (6pts, 5 fouls) assist to give the Pios a four-point lead, their largest of the game. An Elmhurst three soon after sparked an 11-0 run to give the Bluejays a seven-point lead. Gruber hit another three to stop the run. Coming off a D3hoops.com National Team of the Week nod, Tarren Hall (7 pts, 5 reb) cut the lead to one with a layup in the paint with 4:59 remaining in the first half. Sturgeon hit a three from the top of the arc to tie the game, but the Bluejays ran with a 12-2 run to cap off the first half. Josh Hudgens (12 pts, 4-9 FGM) finished with eight points in the first half.
 
Steinike went coast-to-coast to start the second half to try and build some momentum for the Pioneers. Him and Miller went 4-4 at the line in the first four minutes to cut the lead to six. A Steinike three off a turnover cut the lead to one. After Elmhurst responded with a three of their own, Carter Sturgeon sank another three-pointer to give him 10 points for the game. Steinike tied the game with 10:32 remaining in the game. Elmhurst brought their lead up to six, which kicked off the Pios final run of the game. Hall started the scoring with a jumper in the paint, and Mendoza hit a three from the top of the key to give the men the lead. Elmhurst took a one-point lead with 1:04 remaining, but Mendoza responded with a layup with :43 left. After a Bluejay turnover, Mendoza was fouled on the inbound and went one for one at the line to help seal the game. Steinike and Mendoza finished with 13 and 11 second-half points, respectively.
 
The Pioneers will host Elmhurst on Saturday, Feb. 13 at 2 PM in Van Male Field House. The last time the Bluejays came to town, a double-overtime thriller broke out with Elmhurst walking away victorious after a last second heave at the buzzer fell through the net.