Waukesha, Wis. – The Carroll University men's basketball team heads into Thanksgiving with another victory, defeating Lake Forest College 86-83. Carroll gutted out the win, shooting 50.7% from the field, and just 3-18 from the arc. The Pioneers continue to get to the free throw line shooting 21 on the night. Carroll had five double-digit scorers in the game, displaying the well balance offense this team has. Junior Aaron Wafford led the Pios in scoring with 13 points.

The Pioneers (5-1, 0-0 CCIW) forced 12 turnovers, grabbed 42 rebounds, had 10 steals, three blocks, and 16 assists on the night. Jacob Naber added 12 points and eight rebounds for the Pioneers, and Kobe Simpson was able to score 11 points. While Echahelo Simpson and Tyler Miller added 10 points each.
Carroll was able to jump out to an 11-2 lead in the first three and half minutes of the game as Wafford and Naber combined for the first 11 points of the game. The Pioneers had a good rhythm going, as Lamar Smith would make a free three to give the Pioneers their first double-digit lead of the night. Carroll would look comfortable throughout the majority of the first half, as a Miller layup would give the Pioneers a 29-15 lead with 7:54 to go in the half. Lake Forest had different ideas as they would go on their own seven-point run to bring the game back within striking distance. Carroll would push the lead back to nine with 2:56 seconds to go in the game but would find themselves trading baskets in the final minutes of the half. Lake Forest would get fouled on a transition three with just 0.4 seconds left on the clock and have a chance to cut it to a one-point game. Fortunately, for the Pioneers the Foresters would go 1-3 from the line and Carroll would head into the half up 39-36.

The two teams would come out of the half trading baskets, until a Justin Steinike jumper would give the Pioneers some breathing room with 16:39 left to go in the game. Carroll would look to gain off this momentum, as a and-one, three-point play from Kobe and a Erik Victorson three would give the Pioneers a double-digit lead once again. Carroll would maintain this lead until the 12:23 mark when Lake Forest would put together a six-point run to cut the lead to 64-60. With 10 minutes left in the game, Carroll would look to scratch back its large lead but would be unsuccessful. The Foresters refused to give in to the Pioneers aggressive defense and would tie the game 68-68 with just 7:09 to play. Just a few minutes later Carroll would give up the lead for the first time in the game. Down 74-76 with 3:54 left in the game, Carroll found themselves in a comfortable position and stayed composed. The two teams would continue trading baskets, until the :37 second mark. Wafford would get the ball in his hands in what seemed to be a déjà vu moment from the Earlham game earlier this year. Wafford would score the pull-up jumper to take an 84-83 lead. Lake Forest would miss their opportunity to take the lead and Carroll would seal the victory by making free throws. Escaping with 86-83 victory.

The Pioneers will start off CCIW action on Wednesday, November 29, as they drive down to Chicago, Ill. to take on #21 North Park at 7:00 PM.