WAUKESHA, Wis. — Carroll closed out their schedule before the holiday season with a 75–67 win over Marian (WI) at Van Male Fieldhouse, breaking a 30–30 halftime deadlock behind a balanced second-half push and a strong closing run. 

Michael McNabb led the Pioneers with 23 points, hitting 7-of-12 from the field and 7-of-7 at the line while adding two rebounds and a block. Lamar Smith stuffed the box score with 14 points, nine rebounds and a game-high eight assists, and Peyton McKenna knocked down four threes en route to 15 points and five assists. 

After a back-and-forth first half, Carroll shot 55.6% in the second (15-for-27) and finished at 51.9% overall, including 9-of-22 from three and 12-of-16 at the stripe. The Pioneers owned the paint 36–22 and added a 12–8 edge in fast-break points. Carroll ultimately closed the game on a 17–5 surge over the final 4:57 to put it away, behind strong and composed play from McNabb and Smith down the stretch. 

Marian was paced by Alex Vassilakis (17 points) and Andrew Ayeni (12 points, 6 rebounds). The Sabres shot 37.3% overall and 36.7% from three and crashed the offensive glass consistently as they finished with 16 offensive rebounds. 

Carroll improves to 5–5 on the season, with their next bout coming against Edgewood on December 30th back at Van Male Fieldhouse at 4pm.