DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Carroll opened its trip to Florida with a 64–48 win over WPI on Friday night at the Ocean Center, riding a fast start and a dominant second quarter to build a 20-point halftime cushion it never relinquished.

Natalie Gricius paced the Pioneers with 22 points on 10-of-14 shooting, adding five rebounds and three steals. Anna Nielsen chipped in 10 points, while Katie Barger finished with six points, five rebounds and four assists. Emilie Wizner added eight points and a team-high six steals as Carroll's pressure defense keyed the night. 

Carroll set the tone early with a 15–4 opening quarter and blew the game open with a 24–15 second frame, highlighted by a 9-0 burst midway through the period. The Pioneers led by as many as 25 late in the fourth. 

Defense and paint touches told the story: Carroll forced 24 turnovers and converted them into 25 points, outscored WPI 44–18 in the lane, and owned a 14–2 margin in fast-break points. As a team, Carroll shot 46.7% from the field (28-for-60) and finished with 17 steals on the night.

WPI's Emmy Allyn led the Engineers with 14 points, and WPI hit 7-of-15 from three (46.7%), but Carroll's balance and ball pressure kept the game at arm's length throughout.

Carroll now takes on #8 Washington and Lee in a highly anticipated matchup for the second of two games at the Daytona Beach Shootout on Sunday. Tip is tentatively scheduled for 1pm CST.