Waukesha, Wis. – The Carroll University men's basketball team lost 86-90 in the overtime against the North Central Cardinals. The Pios shot 47.6% from the field. The Pios shot well from the three-point line making 15 on the night. The Pios were led by Aaron Wafford, who scored a career-high 24 points on the night. Justin Steinike added 18 points and Eckahelo Simpson added a career-high 15 points.

The Pioneers (4-16, 1-10 CCIW) had a hot first half shooting 53.2% from the field. The Pios made six three-pointers in the first half, two of which came from Steinike. The Carroll bench contributed 20 points; Ethan Balinao scored 11 points. The Pios battled on the boards as they secured 31 rebounds. The Pios forced ten turnovers and came up with seven steals. Steinike led the way with three steals on the night.    

The Pios started the game hot as Steinike scored the Pioneers' first seven points, followed Eckahelo's three-pointer. Steinike would make another three-point shot to push the lead to 13-5. After an early timeout, the Cardinals went on a 10-0 run to take a 13-15 lead. However, with 11:37 left, Evan Bland hit a three-pointer to regain the lead. The two teams would then trade baskets until Carroll took a 38-34 lead into the half. Both teams would come out of the half-trading punches. Carroll would hit a dry spell with 12:33 to go in regulation. The Pios would remain scoreless until the 4:51 mark when Wafford hit a three-pointer to end the drought. The Pios got through this and found themselves only down six after the Wafford made a shot. The Pios would dig deep and continue to play gritty defense to get themselves back in the game Eckahelo got a steal and made a fast break layup to cut the lead to 66-67 with 2:12 to go. The Pioneers found themselves down two with nine seconds left. Wafford would attempt a three-pointer that came up short, but Bland would sneak in for an offensive board and get fouled on the put-back attempt. Bland would make one of two free throws before the Pios had to foul. North Central then split their bonus free throws to a 71-73 lead with 0:08 to go in regulation. Bland would get the ball and attack downhill before missing a layup, followed by an Eckahelo tip-in to tie the game at the buzzer. Overtime turned into a scoring fest as both teams shot over 80% in overtime. The Pios would take an early 77-75 lead with 3:43 to go on a Balinao layup and Wafford layup. The Cardinal would respond and hit a three to take a 77-78 lead before Wafford would return a three-pointer of his own to take an 80-78 lead. The game continued to trade baskets until the Pios missed two free throws and had to foul the Cardinals. North Central was able to ice the game and escape with an 86-90 victory.

The Pios take the road against Illinois Wesleyan University on Saturday, Feb. 4, in Bloomington, Ill.