WAUKESHA, Wis. – The Carroll University men's basketball team won their third consecutive CCIW game Saturday afternoon, defeating North Park in a 75-72 thriller. In a game that saw six ties and three lead changes. Carroll shot over 46 percent from the field, 33 percent from three, and over 69 percent from the from the free throw line. Senior Justin Steinike led all scorers and rebounders, posting 15 points and eight boards.

The Pioneers (13-8, 6-6 CCIW) forced 11 turnovers, and had 17 assists. The Pios also committed 14 turnovers in the game, handling North Park's pressure well. The Pioneers had a very balanced scoring attack yet again, with three players scoring in double figures and all 10 players contributing at least four points. Junior Kobe Simpson recorded 13 points, five rebounds, and four assists, without committing a turnover. Sophomore Evan Bland also scored in double figures for the third consecutive game, scoring 10 points, in addition to his two assists.

Both teams would struggle offensively in this up-tempo battle, as the first 16 possessions saw just six combined points through the first four minutes of action, with the Vikings holding a slim 4-2 lead. North Park would then go on a 15-4 run over the next five minutes, as there appeared to be a lid over the basket on Carroll's end. Junior Dom Burns would break that lid off with a three-pointer on a kick-out from Naber with just over 10 minutes left in the first half, bringing the score to 19-15 in North Park's favor. Both teams then traded baskets for the next several minutes. A layup from Senior Tyler Miller would bring the Pioneers within one point with seven minutes left before halftime. Carroll would then trade basket-for-basket for multiple possessions as both teams settled into the flow of the game and found a rhythm. Finally, an "and-one" layup and free throw from Kobe would tie the game at 25 apiece. Once again, the two teams would go back-and-forth with neither team willing to give an inch. A Naber layup off an assist from junior Eckahelo Simpson would tie the game at 29 with four minutes left in the first half. North Park then ended the half on a 7-2 run to send the Vikings into the locker room with a 36-31 advantage.

Eckahelo opened the second half scoring for the Pioneers, making one free throw to bring the Pios within four points. North Park looked to turn the heat up on the defensive end, forcing two quick turnovers which the Vikings converted into a pair of baskets, giving them an eight-point lead just two minutes into the second half. Carroll then settled into the pressure again and back-to-back threes from Miller and Steinike brought the Pioneers within two. The Vikings once again pushed the lead to five points with just over 14 minutes remaining, but Carroll battled back like they have all season, with a 3-pointer by Erik Victorson knotting things up at 54 with just under 11 minutes to play. Carroll would take the lead for the first time since the 15:34 mark in the first half with another three-pointer from Victorson, assisted by Steinike. That basket would give the Pios the lead for good, and Carroll pushed the lead to as many as 10 points over the next eight minutes. North Park was not ready to throw in the towel, as they forced five consecutive Carroll turnovers in the blink of an eye, cutting the Pios' lead to one with under one minute to play. Two free throws from Bland would give the Pios a three-point lead that the team would hold and walk out of the nail-biting victory.

Carroll will be back in action on Wednesday, as they'll travel to King Arena in Wheaton, Ill. to take on Wheaton College at 7 p.m.