BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - Carroll's women's basketball team nearly erased a double-digit halftime deficit, but fell just short of completing that comeback, suffering their first conference loss of the season in a 65-59 defeat at Illinois Wesleyan. The Pios shot 30 percent (8-27) from the field in the first half, before making 64 percent (18-28) after halftime.

Carroll (5-3, 1-1 CCIW) scored the game's first basket on a layup by Natalie Palzkill, before Illinois Wesleyan (7-2, 2-0 CCIW) scored the next seven to take the lead, which they would never relinquish. The Titans took a seven-point advantage into the second quarter, where they would extend that lead to 14 by scoring the first seven points of the period.

Leading by 13 points at halftime, Illinois Wesleyan scored the first four points of the second half, before Carroll began to cut into that lead. The Pioneers used a run of 11 consecutive points to whittle the lead down to six just before the fourth period began. After a couple Illinois Wesleyan baskets, Carroll cut the lead back to six with two and a half minutes to play on a jumper by Natalie Gricius, which would be as close as the Pios would get the rest of the way.

Emilie Wizner led Carroll with 19 points and five rebounds, making 3-of-5 shots from 3-point range. Gricius added 13 points and nine boards, while Anna Nielsen scored eight points off the bench.

Illinois Wesleyan committed just 12 turnovers in the contest, while forcing 24 Carroll miscues. The Titans converted eight 3-pointers (30 percent), while also shooting 20 more free throws than the Pioneers, making 17 of those (65 percent).

The Titans were led by Kate Palmer's 16 points, four rebounds, and three assists, while Sawyer White recorded 15 points and a game-high eight assists. Caite Knutson added 14 points.

Carroll will try to rebound on Wednesday when they'll travel to North Park University. That game will begin at 7 p.m. in Chicago, Ill.