KENOSHA, Wis. Carroll's men's basketball team took a short trip down 1-43 on Wednesday night to take on in-state CCIW rival Carthage, falling to the Firebirds by a score of 88-68. Carthage (13-4, 7-1 CCIW) shot 46 percent (31-68), including 36 percent (8-22) from 3-point range, while Carroll converted 39 percent (27-70) of their shots, including 25 percent (5-20) from behind the 3-point line. There were 13 ties and 11 lead changes throughout, with most of the back-and-forth ensuing in the first half. 

With a putback floater off an offensive rebound 5 minutes into the game, graduate senior Justin Steinike surpassed the 1,000-point mark for his career. The Milwaukee, Wis. Native becomes the 18th Pioneer to join the 1,000-point club for Carroll men's basketball and currently sits 18th in school history with 1,004 points and counting. 

 
Carroll (6-11, 2-6 CCIW) was in control for the majority of the first half, scoring a basket on the game's opening possession thanks to a midrange pullup from Eckahelo Simpson. The two teams traded baskets for much of the opening period, neither team separating by more than two possessions and exchanging 10 ties and 11 lead changes. Over the final four minutes, Carroll outscored Carthage 12-7 behind four points apiece from Aaron Wafford and Lamar Smith to take a 42-37 lead into the locker room. 
 
A 16-4 Firebird run to open the second half gave them their largest lead of the game to that point. Erik Victorson hit a three as an immediate response to keep the game within two possessions. The next eight minutes consisted of another 17-7 run, pushing the Firebirds to another double-digit advantage. Carroll stayed the course, responding with an 8-0 run of their own to bring the game back to within six points at 70-64 with 4:34 remaining. Carthage had one final run to pull away once again, this time making free throws down the stretch to close the game out, sending the Pioneers home with an 88-68 defeat 

 
Victorson finished with a team-high 14 points, while Wafford and Kobe Simpson joined him in double figures, contributing 11 and 10 points, respectively. Carroll was led on the glass by junior Jacob Naber, who corralled seven boards in 23 minutes of play. 
 
Carthage was led by Riley Brooks's 26 points on 9-of-17 shooting, including 6-of-7 from the free throw line. Three other Carthage players scored in double figures on the night. 
 
Carroll will be in action again on January 29 when they'll travel to Illinois Wesleyan. That game will begin at 7 p.m. in the Shirk Center in Bloomington, Ill.