WAUKESHA, Wis. - In front of a packed house that was wearing a sea of orange, the 25th-ranked Carroll Pioneers narrowly lost to eighth-ranked Illinois Wesleyan Saturday afternoon 72-68 in what was a battle for first place in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW). That marks Carroll's first loss since December 2nd at Illinois Wesleyan, which was a span of nine games.

Saturday's game, which featured two of the top 10 scoring teams in Division-III basketball, saw four ties and six lead changes, all of which came in the first half. Illinois Wesleyan (15-3, 8-1 CCIW) outscored Carroll (14-4, 7-2 CCIW) in the paint by a 42-28 margin, while also scoring 20 fast break points. Carroll held the edge in second-chance points 25-12, as they out-rebounded the Titans 44-35.

Illinois Wesleyan scored the first basket of the game, but the two teams went back-and-forth trading baskets for the first few minutes, until the Titans ended the opening quarter on a 15-5 run to take a seven-point lead into the second period. IWU extended that lead to double digits later in the half, but Carroll showed what they're made of by battling back to tie the score at 34 with three minutes left in the half.

After leading by four at halftime, Illinois Wesleyan methodically grew their lead to 10 mid-way through that period, before taking a seven-point advantage into the final frame. The Titans continued to hold Carroll at arm's length, before the Pioneers made one final push, cutting the lead to three with 16 seconds remaining on a free throw by Olivia Rangel. The Pios would get a good look at a potential tying 3-pointer, but it was no good, sending Illinois Wesleyan to victory.

Carroll shot 36 percent (22-61) from the field in the contest, which is their lowest field goal percentage in 13 games, after sinking more than 50 percent in each of their last four times on the court. Lauren Soyke led the Pioneers with 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting, to go along with eight rebounds. Natalie Gricius added 13 points, while Rangel and Emilie Wizner added 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Kate Palmer led Illinois Wesleyan with a game-high 18 points. Lauren Huber added 17 points and seven rebounds, while Mallory Powers finished with 14 points and six boards. Caite Knutson also chipped in with 11 points. The Titans shot 45 percent (26-58) from the field on the day.

The Pioneers will try to rebound next weekend against yet another ranked team, as they'll travel to #17 Millikin University, as they'll try to defeat the Big Blue for a second time this season. Next Saturday's game will begin at 2 p.m. in Decatur, Ill.