Waukesha, Wis. – The Carroll University men's basketball team was defeated by the North Park Vikings on Tuesday night in Van Male Field House, falling 55-75. Justin Steinike led Pio scorers with 14 points, while Tarren Hall collected 10 points and three rebounds.
 
The Pioneers (3-6, 3-6 CCIW) drop their third straight and fourth of their last five. The Pioneers fall to 0-5 at home this season as well. The men held the Vikings to 30 first half points on 44% shooting, but the Vikings erupted in the second half, shooting 73.1% from the field and 60% from behind the three-point line. The men were able to force 15 North Park turnovers and collected six steals that turned into 16 points.
 
The Pioneers came out hot from the start, beginning the game on a 9-2 run led by Steinike, Hall, and Josh Hudgens (6 PTS, 3 REB). North Park was able to cut the lead from Pioneer foul trouble early on, trailing only 11-8 with 13:45 remaining. The Vikings pulled to within one, but Ryan Mendoza (5 PTS, 3 REB) pulled up on a jump shot outside of the paint to keep the Pioneers up three. An 8-2 Pioneer run late in the first half, capped off by threes from Justin Gruber (7 PTS, 3 AST) and Tyler Miller (3 PTS), forced North Park to call a time out. The Vikings were able to respond, and thanks to free-throws, cut the first half lead to just two points.
 
North Park momentarily took the lead in the first minute of the second half, but Steinike was able to make two layups to bring the Carroll lead back to three. North Park's offense exploded going forward, kicking off a 13-0 run. Tarren Hall tried to slow their momentum with a jumper in the paint with 12:03 left in the game down eight points. Ethan Balinao (3 PTS) hit a three-point jump shot from the top of the key to force a Viking time out at the 10:23 mark. Out of the time out the Vikings kicked off another run, this time 12-3 to bring their lead to 18. Mendoza tried to cut the momentum with free-throws, but the damage was already done. North Park brought the lead to 23 with 4:05 remaining in the game, forcing Paul Combs to empty his bench. 
 
The men will start a two-game series with the Vikings of Augustana on Thursday in Van Male Field House. The Pioneers will be starting at 6 PM, with a senior night celebration to begin before tip-off.