Waukesha, Wis. – The Carroll University men's basketball team lost an overtime thriller to Millikin University today. The Pioneers shot 46.6% but had another rough shooting night from the arc going just 2-11. Carroll got to the free throw line a decent amount going 22-30. Sophomore Lamar Smith had a career-high in the game and led the Pioneers in scoring with 14 points and added six rebounds.

The Pioneers (6-4, 1-3 CCIW) forced nine turnovers, grabbed 40 rebounds, had six steals, and eight assists on the night. Kobe Simpsons added 13 points and six assists on the night, while Jacob Naber had 12 points and six rebounds.

Carroll would start the game off strong and find a rhythm early going up 10-2 in the opening five minutes of play. Millikin would respond by going on an 11-2 run and taking their first lead of the game with 12:17 left in the half. The two team would settle into the game and start trading baskets as there would be four lead changes and four ties throughout the entirety of the first half. The Pios would look to create a little separation from the Big Blue, after a Naber layup would give the Pioneers a 26-21 lead with 5:42 to play in the half. Millikin would battle back tying the game at 31-31 with 1:01 to go. Kobe would hit a long pull-up jump shot with 0:14 to go giving the Pioneers a 33-31 lead heading into the half.

The two teams would come out of the half looking to gain control of the close game. At the 17:35 mark of the second half, a controversial flagrant-one foul would be called against Naber, shifting the momentum in the Big Blue's favor. The costly foul would give Millikin the lift they needed to go on a 10-0 run to take a 38-48 lead with 15:31 to go in the game. Carroll would look to fight their way back into the game, and with 11:27 left Evan Bland would make a layup and get fouled in the process to cut it to a one possession game. Senior Tyler Miller would make a great play off the missed free throw to force Millikin to lose the ball out of bounds. Kobe would make a layup in the ensuing possession to make a 50-51 game with 10:50 to go. Millikin would push its lead back to nine with just 3:37 to go in the game. Carroll looked to put together one more run to get themselves back into striking distance. The Pios would do just that and go on a 13-0 run to take a four-point lead with 0:23 seconds to go. Carroll would look to seal the game, but big shots from the Big Blue would end the half forcing overtime at 73-73 apiece.

In overtime Naber would foul out of the game on the opening possession giving Millikin a size advantage for the remainder of the game. Carroll would have four costly turnovers in overtime that ultimately spelled disaster for the Pios. Carroll would keep the game within striking distance, but Millikin would make all their free throws and leave Van Male with a 78-82 victory.

The Pioneers remain at home and will take on Northland College on Sunday, December 17, at 1 PM.