WAUKESHA, Wis. - Carroll's women's basketball team continued its recent dominance Wednesday night, defeating in-state rival Carthage College 90-58, marking their ninth consecutive win, which is their longest such streak since the 2007-08 season. That also marks the fifth time this season, and third consecutive game, in which the Pioneers have scored at least 90 points.

Carroll (14-3, 7-1 CCIW) was locked in from the start, scoring the game's first six points, with Natalie Gricius scoring the first two baskets of the night. After the Pioneers took an eight point lead just three minutes into the contest, Carthage (10-7, 3-5 CCIW) climbed back into the game thanks to a 15-6 run, giving them their first lead of the contest. That tie would be short-lived, as Natalie Palzkill sank a pair of free throws to give Carroll the lead, before taking a 26-21 lead into the second quarter. In that second period, the Pioneers began to separate themselves from the competition, outscoring the Firebirds 20-6 in the period, which saw Carthage make just one shot from the field.

After leading 46-27 at halftime, Carroll continued to pour it on in the second half. Like the first half, it began with six consecutive Pioneer points, outscoring the Firebirds by a 27-15 margin. The Pios outscored Carthage in the paint on the night, 56-40, while also scoring 17 points off 20 Firebird turnovers.

Carroll shot 51 percent (34-67) from the field during the game. They were led by Olivia Rangel's 24 points and five assists, while Gricius added 19 points and four rebounds. Palzkill also chipped in with a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds on 5-of-7 shooting, while also recording five assists. Chloe Halverson added 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting off the bench.

Lauren Knight led Carthage with 16 points, while Marianna Morrissey added nine points and five boards. Elena Knebel added eight points in 15 minutes of action.

The Pioneers will be in action again on Saturday, as they'll try to avenge their only conference loss of the season when they host Illinois Wesleyan at 2 p.m. That day will double as Carroll's annual Alumni Basketball Day celebration, with the women's alumni game being played at 9 a.m. The Pioneers' game against Illinois Wesleyan will be an Orange Out, with all fans in attendance asked to wear orange to the game in Van Male Gymnasium. It will be succeeded by the men's game between the same two schools.