PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – Carroll men's basketball mounted a late comeback but fell short in an 88-80 loss to #18 UW–Platteville on Saturday at Williams Fieldhouse. The Pioneers drop to 2-2 on the season after a competitive matchup that featured multiple scoring swings and a furious second-half rally.

Sophomore guard Michael McNabb led all scorers with 27 points on 11-of-17 shooting, including two three-pointers, while adding five assists and four rebounds. Lamar Smith contributed 19 points and eight boards, and Peyton McKenna knocked down five threes for 17 points and four assists. Dennis Estepp added seven points, and Jacob Naber chipped in five points and three assists.

Carroll shot 45.5 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from beyond the arc, while converting 85.7 percent at the free-throw line. The Pioneers dominated the paint with 44 points and added 13 fast-break points, but UW–Platteville countered with balanced scoring and a decisive edge in second-chance points (16-8) and bench production (23-5).

Trailing by 21 with just over nine minutes remaining, Carroll stormed back behind McNabb's scoring burst and McKenna's perimeter shooting, trimming the deficit to single digits in the final minute. The rally fell short as the Pioneers were unable to overcome the early hole. It was another impressive performance for Carroll as they took another ranked opponent to the wire in the early season. 

Carroll returns home on Saturday at Van Male Fieldhouse to take on another WIAC opponent in UW-Oshkosh. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m.