Waukesha, Wis. – The Carroll University men's basketball team won 65-64 against the Elmhurst Bluejays. The Pios shot 38.7% from the field. The Pios struggled from the three-point line making just five on the night.
Aaron Wafford led the Pios with 20 points on the night.
Kobe Simpson Contributed 14 points.
The Pioneers (5-17, 2-11 CCIW) defense was the key part in the game, forcing 10 turnovers on seven steals. Wafford led the way with two steals as five other Pioneers each had a steal of their own. Adding to their defense, the Pios had 14 assists led by Kobe and
Josh Hudgens, each having three. Taking care of the ball lifted the Pios over the Bluejays. The Carroll bench contributed 17 points, led by
Evan Bland and
Jacob Naber each scoring five.
Carroll found themselves down 9-2, forcing an early timeout from
Taylor Jannsen. Regrouped, the Pios found their groove and went on a 6-0 run with 11:45 to go in the half to take a four-point lead after Bland three-pointer. The two teams would trade buckets until Kobe made a three-point play on an and-one layup, pushing the lead to 29-23. The Pios would hang on to the lead and go into the half up 36-33. Out of the half, the two teams were hungry for scoring. The two teams would stay neck and neck until Elmhurst took the lead back with 14:12 to go. The Pios went on a dry spell find themselves down 50-57 with 8:07 left. The Pios weren't done Hudgens made a layup to cut the lead to five; after getting a critical stop,
Tyler Miller hit a corner three to put the game right back within striking distance. Giving the team confidence as with 2:28 left. Wafford would hit a three-pointer to tie the game 60-60. The two teams would struggle in the final two minutes as Carroll would throw a turnover to give the Bluejays a fast break layup to take a two-point lead with 1:00 left. On the next possession, Kobe would get downhill to draw a foul, where he would make both free throws to tie the game at 62-62. However, with 38 seconds on the clock, Elmhurst would grab an offensive rebound and take the lead right back. Carroll needed one more answer, and Wafford did just that. After getting past his defender, Wafford would raise in the paint to hit the tying floater. As the shot left his hand, Wafford would get fouled and complete the three-point play to put the Pioneers up 65-64. Carroll would put together one last defensive stop and escape with the victory.
The Pios are back at home for their second-to-last home game. Augustana makes the drive up on Saturday, Feb. 11, at Van Male Fieldhouse.
