MOUNT VERNON, Iowa - Carroll's women's basketball team opened their 2023-24 campaign with a convincing 79-50 win against Luther College on Saturday's first day of the Cornell (Iowa) Classic. The Pioneers shot 48 percent (31-65) from the field, including 31 percent (4-13) from 3-point range, while holding Luther to just 34 percent (17-50) shooting, including 9 percent (1-11) from behind the arc. Carroll also forced 34 Luther turnovers, which they converted into 32 points.
Carroll (1-0) set the tone early, outscoring the Norse 22-8 in the opening quarter, as they ended the period on a 12-4 run. The Pioneers continued that momentum in the second quarter, which saw them score the first five points to take a 19-point lead. Carroll took their largest lead of the half on a
Lauren Soyke layup, which put them up by 21 midway through the second.
After leading by 16 at halftime, the Pioneers maintained a double-digit lead in the second half. They would lead by as many as 32 points. Carroll out-rebounded Luther (0-1) by a 44-31 margin, with the Pioneers grabbing 16 offensive boards in the contest.
Olivia Rangel led all players with 27 points to lead the Pioneers, shooting 12-of-18 from the field and adding four rebounds, two assists, and a pair of steals.
Natalie Gricius added 14 points and a game-high five steals, while Soyke finished with 12 points, five boards, and three steals. That duo also combined to shoot 11-for-14 from the field.
Luther was led by Chelin Isaacson's 13 points. Kailey Jones added seven points and five rebounds off the bench, while Kate Hosking and Emilee Burcham each added six points.
Carroll will be in action again on Sunday, when they'll battle the host team in the tournament, Cornell College. That game will begin at 3 p.m. in Mount Vernon, Iowa.
