Richmond, Ind. – The Carroll University men's basketball team survived a close call to advance to 2-0 on the season. The Pioneers started the Melissa Johnson Hope Classic Tournament facing host school Earlham College, defeating them 75-74 on a game winning shot from junior Aaron Wafford. Carroll shot just 46.4% from the field on the day, with 33.5% falling from the arc. Carroll was able to get 17-22 free throws to drop to help lead the Pioneers to victory. Junior Erik Victorson was the spark for the Pios off the bench, going 5-6 from the arc. An impress stat line considering Carroll was only able to hit six threes on the day.

The Pioneers (2-0, 0-0 CCIW) found themselves in a game of runs as they forced 16 turnovers, grabbed 28 rebounds, forced seven steals, and had 14 assists. This made for Carroll's second straight game with a positive assist-to-turnover ratio, helping the Pioneers in a big way. Sophomore Evan Bland came into the game as the Pioneers primary ball handler, and was able to give the pioneers a solid 11-points, four assists, and five rebounds.

The Pioneers had an uneasy start to the game as they gave up two straight baskets to find themselves down 0-4 in the opening 30 seconds of the game. Bland and Wafford would both connect on shots to bring the Pioneers right back into, taking a 5-4 lead. Earlham would quickly push their lead back to 5-10 forcing head coach Taylor Jannsen to call an early timeout. Out of the break the Quakers would push their lead to 11-19. The Pioneers would finally find their rhythm and go on a 12-0 run to take a 27-21 lead with just 6:26 left in the half. Continuing the success, Carroll would find themselves up 11 with just 4:02 to go. The two teams would then battle it out and Carroll would secure a 40-33 lead heading into the break.

Carroll's bench helped them tremendously with 39 bench points to help secure the victory. The two teams would trade baskets and eventually Earlham would chip away at the lead. With just 10:49 to go in the game, the Pioneers had given up their lead and found themselves tied 56-56. The Pioneers would fight to maintain the lead until the 7:11 mark when the Quakers made their comeback complete to take a 63-64 lead. Carroll would find themselves struggling to get a solid rhythm going again as foul trouble, technical difficulties, and a strong defensive front stood in the way of the Pioneers. Finally, with 4:15 to go in the game, Victorson would hit a massive three-pointer to give the Pioneers a two-point lead and tilt the momentum back in the Pioneers favor. The two teams would then trade baskets in the final minute of the game. With just 16 seconds to go Earlham would score a go-ahead bucket to take a 73-74 lead. Carroll would sub-in Wafford for the final 16 seconds and let him do his thing, as he would take the game into his hands and seal it for Carroll with a mid-range jumper. Taking a 75-74 lead with just seven seconds to go. The Pioneers would hold strong on defense and escape with a one-point win over the host school.

The Pioneers are back in action tomorrow taking on the University of Olivet on Sunday, November 12, at 12 PM (EST.).