Waukesha, Wis. – The Carroll University men's basketball team opened the 2023-24 basketball season with a 131-113 victory against Greenville University. The Pioneers had a flashback to their Midwest Conference days when they played Grinnell College in a fast-paced contest. Carroll shot 60.2% from the field, while shooting 42.9% from the arc and 78.1% from the charity stripe. Sophomore Jacob Naber and junior Eckahelo Simpson led the way from the Pios by scoring 34 and 27 points, respectively. Both players had career-highs on the night.

The Pioneers (1-0, 0-0 CCIW) had a game filled with action as they forced 22 turnovers, grabbed 58 rebounds, forced 11 steals, and had 31 assists on the night. Simpson not only scored throughout the night as he also had 10 rebounds to lead the Pioneers and secure his second career double-double. Erik Victorson made his presence known throughout the game by adding 19 points, five assists and leading the Pioneers with four steals.
Carroll started the game off with a bang as Naber got back-to-back dunks to help the Pioneers get off to a 4-2 start. The two teams would battle as Greenville found some early success going on nine-point run go up 8-15. Carroll would look to fight back but found themselves down 11 with 13:31 to go in the half, forcing head coach Taylor Jannsen to call a timeout. Coming out of the timeout Naber and Simpson would both put together a pair of baskets to pull the back within five. The Panthers would explode again and gain another double-digit advantage midway through the first half. Carroll would continue to struggle with the full court pressure and eventually end up in a 13-point hole. The battle would continue, but with just three minutes to go in the half, the team would be down 40-54. The Pioneers decided it was enough and got back into the game on a 10-0 run to bring the game back in striking distance. The Pioneers would close the half out strong and head into the half down 60-57.

Coming out of the half Carroll would completely flip the script on the Panthers as they would take a 73-63 lead just four minutes into the half. As Pioneers caught their footing and the basket started to open, they would start taking complete control of the game as a three-pointer from Victorson would give Carroll their first 20-point lead of the night. Carroll would continue to handle the pressure from Greenville well and maintain a firm grip on the game. Greenville would go on one more run trying to close the gap and cut the lead to just seven points with 6:10 left in the half. The Pios would weather the storm and go on an 18-0 run of their own to take a 119-96 lead with just four minutes to play. A pair of free throws from Evan Bland who finished the game with 21 points, gave the Pioneers a 25-point lead. Carroll managed the remained of the game and walk away with a 131-113 victory.

The Pioneers are on the road traveling to Indiana to take on Earlham College on Saturday, November 11, at 12 PM (EST.).