WAUKESHA, Wis. – The Carroll University women's basketball team earned a big home victory against Carthage College with a final score of 58-44. Olivia Rangel dropped 13 points on 4-9 shooting, while Brooke Foster scored 12 points off the bench while tying her season-high three-pointers made with four.
 
The Pioneers (17-6, 9-6 CCIW) claim at least a three seed in the upcoming CCIW Women's Basketball Tournament. Carroll will host either the 5/6 seed on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at 7 PM in Van Male Field House. Carroll is hosting a tournament game in back-to-back seasons after qualifying for their first-ever CCIW tournament a year ago. Carroll got out of the gates quickly by scoring 23 points in the first quarter while knocking down 4-7 three-point shots. Carroll has made 5+ three-point baskets in five of their last six games. The Pioneers pulled in 36 rebounds and came away with 15 steals while forcing 25 turnovers.
 
Carroll scored their first six points on free throws from Rangel and Kate Christian. Foster broke the basket-less streak with a three-point jumper to take a 9-2 lead. After the first media timeout, the Pios went on a 12-1 run to take a 16-point lead. Foster hit another three-pointer over that span. Katie Evans gave Carroll a 17-point lead after knocking down the first basket of the second quarter, followed soon by Foster's third three. After surrendering five points and an ensuing media timeout, both teams went cold over the next three minutes, as Allison Thompson ended the scoreless streak with a free throw. The Pios went into halftime up 13 after only scoring nine points in the second period.
 
The Firebirds scored four quick points to force a thirty-second time out from coach Lindsay Schultz. The timeout led to four points in the next two possessions that forced a Carthage timeout. After the Firebirds cut the lead down to 10, Carroll finished the final 4:28 of the quarter with an 11-0 run with two three-pointers. Carroll took their largest lead of the game at 22 points with 7:45 remaining in the game. The Firebirds tried to work the score back their way, finishing the game on a 12-5 run, but the Pio defense held them to 2-7 from behind the three-point line and only fouled once in the final period.
 
Carroll will end its regular season and celebrate its three seniors on Saturday, February 19 against North Park at 2 PM. Carroll tied its school-record number of points in a game the last time they played North Park, winning 104-48.