WAUKESHA, Wis. – The Carroll University men's basketball team trailed by just five at halftime but fell in the final 20 minutes to Illinois Wesleyan by a score of 59-73. Justin Steinike and Josh Hudgens both added 10 points to the Carroll total, while Paradisio Dante handed out four assists and had one steal.
 
The Pioneers (2-7, 0-2 CCIW) shot the ball well, but couldn't overcome the strong Titans in the paint. IWU finished with 42 points in the paint on 52.6% shooting with 38 rebounds, while Carroll recorded just 19 boards. Carroll forced 14 Titan turnovers from seven steals, leading to 12 points off turnovers. The Pio bench, led by Hudgens, surpassed Illinois Wesleyan by eight points. In a game where there were four lead changes with the score tied twice, the Pioneers were down as much as 18 points in the second half after a slow period offensively.
 
Both teams traded baskets to begin the game, and after Aaron Wafford nailed a step-back three-pointer, Carroll made it an 8-10 game. Carroll responded to every Titan basket with a clutch basket, including three-pointers from Kobe Simpson and Josh Hudgens early on. Justin Gruber's and-one three-point play gave Carroll its first lead of the game at the 10:37 mark, but the Titans came back to take a five-point advantage soon after. Carroll re-tied the game at 33-33 with 3:30 to go in the half, but the Titans finished the period with an 8-2 run to go into the halftime break up five points. Carroll knocked down 6-13 shots behind the arc in the first 20 minutes.
 
Kobe cut the deficit to just two points three minutes into the second half, but the Titans took off on a 14-1 run to take a quick 15-point lead. Jacob Naber stopped the bleeding momentarily with a jumper outside the paint, and a three from Tyler Miller helped Carroll cut it back to just a 12-point lead. Hudgens made another jumper three, but the Titans continued to dominate the offensive glass, grabbing seven offensive rebounds in the second half as they held on to their double-digit win.
 
Carroll will get a break during the week and will return to action next weekend against Wisconsin-River Falls. The Pios will play at Just A Game Field House in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.