PLYMOUTH, Wis. - Carroll men's basketball kicked off the 2024-25 season with an emphatic victory, defeating Lakeland University 90-69. With 24 games remaining, Carroll already has half of the 90-point games they tallied all of last season. Carroll shot just under 54% as a team, including well over 41% from three-point land. Carroll's defense was impressive to open the season, forcing 18 turnovers, getting nine steals, and holding the Muskies to 43.3% shooting overall and 20% from three.
Senior Eckahelo Simpson was a perfect 10-10 from the floor on the night, including 2-2 from three, registering 24 points eight rebounds, and three assists in 26 minutes. Kylo's brother Kobe Simpson was close behind, scoring 23 points on 54% shooting and a 5:2 assist-to-turnover-ratio. Junior big man Jacob Naber contributed double-digits as well, tallying 14 points on 50% shooting and corralling nine boards.
Carroll jumped to an early lead, going up 21-10 with the Simpson brothers combining for 13 of the teams first points. Carroll gained a lead of as many as 12 points, but the Muskies clawed their way back into the fight by pulling to a six-point margin at the break. Carroll shot a touch over 47% from the field in the first period, including a cold start beyond the arc at 2-for-10. The Pioneer's defense was more aggressive than past years, forcing 13 turnovers in the first half. Kobe and Kylo combined for 26 first half points at 13 apiece to lead all scoring at the break.
A 19-9 spark to start the second half helped the Pioneers widen the margin to 16 seven minutes into the period. Lakeland hung around once again, pulling within 10 just two minutes later. Over the next nine minutes, the high-powered Carroll offense got hot and went on a 25-6 run to all but seal the victory. Carroll was led by senior sniper Erik Victorson in the run, who cashed in three triples. With three minutes left, Lakeland waved the white flag and the reserves checked into the game to close the game out as Carroll headed home with a 1-0 record. Carroll had an astounding 51 points in the second half, shooting over 61% and sinking eight triples at 57% to even out the lower first-half percentage.
Carroll returns to action with their home-opener, a premier test against a WIAC opponent in UW-Whitewater, whom is just two years removed from a trip to the Division III Semifinals. Tip-off from Van Male Fieldhouse will be at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 12.
