KENOSHA, Wis. – Carroll men's basketball dropped a hard-fought 81-76 contest at Carthage on Saturday in CCIW action. The Pioneers trailed 49-42 at halftime and faced a 10-point deficit early in the second half before mounting a late rally that fell just short.

Carroll shot 47.6 percent from the field and 36 percent from three, led by Michael McNabb's 23 points on 9-of-17 shooting, including three triples. McNabb also added three rebounds and two assists. Peyton McKenna provided a spark from deep, hitting four threes and finishing with 18 points, three assists, and three steals. Lamar Smith contributed 16 points and five rebounds, while Jacob Naber chipped in 11 points and seven boards.

Carthage countered with 50.9 percent shooting and 10 made threes, paced by Riley Brooks, who scored a game-high 28 points with six triples. The Firebirds opened the game hot from beyond the arc, going 9-of-16 from three in the first half to build their lead. Carroll clawed back behind McKenna's perimeter shooting and McNabb's drives, trimming the margin to five in the final seconds, but Carthage converted at the line to seal the win.

The Pioneers held advantages in points in the paint (40-32) and fast-break scoring (14-16) while limiting second-chance opportunities, but free throws proved costly as Carroll finished 7-of-12 at the stripe compared to Carthage's 13-of-19.

Carroll moves to 4-4 overall and 1-1 in CCIW play. The Pioneers return to action next Saturday as they travel to Kachel Gymnasium to take on UW-Whitewater at 7 p.m.