Elmhurst, Ill. – The Carroll University men's basketball team defeated #15 Elmhurst University 86-83 in a overtime thriller late last night. The Pioneers shot 43.1%, 42.3% from three, and 72.2% from the free throw. Sophomore Lamar Smith had himself a career night recording his first ever double-double. Smith had career-highs with 19 points and 11 rebounds on the night.

The Pioneers (9-6, 2-4 CCIW) forced 9 turnovers, grabbed just 41 rebounds, and 18 assists in the contest. Kobe Simpson continued his success scoring 18 points and grabbing six rebounds. Erik Victorson added a strong performance himself scoring 17 points (5-7 from the arc) and dishing out five assists.

Carroll started the game off early as Aaron Wafford made two early free throws to get the game going. The Bluejays would respond by going on a 7-0 run to a take 2-7 lead just five minutes into the game. Wafford and Smith would both continue to make free throws to keep the game within striking distance, but at the 14:39 mark the Pioneers had yet to make a field goal and found themselves down 6-12 to the #15 squad in the land. Smith who seemed to have all the answers on the night would score two layups in a row to get the Pioneers rolling. As Tyler Miller came in off the bench and knocked down a three to make it 13-14 with 12:17 to go. Victorson would then get a steal and find Wafford wide open up the floor to regain the lead at 15-14. The two teams would then battle back and forth throughout the rest of the half. With 4:25 to go in the half, Elmhurst would go on 6-0 to take 24-30 lead, but Carroll would good a job responding and limit the run by Elmhurst going into the half down 32-36.

Coming out of the half neither team had issues on offense as the traded baskets. A three pointer by Elmhurst gave the Bluejays a seven-point lead with 16:24 to play. A critical point in the game for the Pioneers as they have struggled to find offensive answers since the holiday break; didn't bat an eye as the Pios went on a 10-0 to regain the lead. Evan Bland made two free throws, Victorson and Kobe both made three pointers, and Smith topped it off with a putback layup to take a 46-43 lead with 13:59 to play, forcing a Elmhurst timeout. Carroll found themselves on the offensive again as Smith would go on his own 7-0 run to give the Pioneers a 62-54 lead with 8:52 to play. Elmhurst was able to chip away at the lead and regain the lead as the two teams found themselves in a tight battle until the end of the game. Eckahelo Simpson stepped up big making a layup with 0:18 to tie the game 76-76 and force overtime.

In overtime, Elmhurst jumped out to a five-point lead with just 2:08 to play. Things looked grim for the Pioneers, but a Victorson three pointer and Eckahelo layup brought things even again with just 1:14 to play. This set up Wafford for what he does best, as he was able find a slight opening an fire off a three with 0:09 remaining. Wafford nailed the shot and Carroll defense held up on Elmhurst final attempt, as the Pioneers walked out of Elmhurst with a 86-83 victory.

Carroll is back on the road against Augustana on Saturday, January 13, at 7:15 PM.