Waukesha, Wis. – The Carroll University men's basketball team lost 57-68 at home against North Central. Making it the ninth consecutive win over the Pioneers for the Cardinals. The Pioneers shot 43.6%, 26.7% from three, and 50% from the free throw line in their lowest scoring game of the year. Juniors Kobe Simpson and Aaron Wafford led the way for the Pioneers, scoring 16 and 12 points, respectively.

The Pioneers (8-6, 1-4 CCIW) forced 12 turnovers, grabbed just 24 rebounds, had 10 steals, and eight assists in the contest. Justin Steinike and Paradisio Dante led the team in rebounding, grabbing five rebounds apiece.

North Central jumped out to an early 6-11 run, before Eckahelo Simpson scored a layup to bring it back to a one possession game. The Cardinals would look to extend their lead and would do so taking a 10-18 lead with 12:32 to play. Carroll looked to get some momentum going but would struggle finding offense in the first half as the team would shoot just 36.7%. North Central took full advantage of the Pioneers offensive struggles and found themselves up 16-27 with just 1:10 to play in the half. Evan Bland would get a three-point play to fall with 0:49 to head into the half down 25-33.

Carroll looked to turn things around as Kobe and Wafford both made early shots in the half chipping away at the deficit. Kobe would make a layup followed by a Wafford three to make is 40-43 with 14:52 to play. Following the success, the brothers from Spokane, Wash. would find a connection as Eckahelo would get a steal and find Kobe up the floor to cut it to a one-point game. Unfortunately for the Pioneers, their offense would stall yet again, and the Cardinals found themselves back of by double-digits with just 9:18 to play. There would be no looking back as North Central would lead the game from start to finish and walk away with a 57-68 victory.

Carroll is back on the road against Elmhurst on Wednesday, January 10, at 7 PM.