WHEATON, Ill. - Carroll men's basketball traveled to Wheaton College (IL) on Saturday evening, falling to the Thunder by a score of 91-81. The loss extended Carroll's losing streak to six games while the Thunder picked up back-to-back wins for the first time this season. It was a back-and-forth high-scoring affair, as the game saw nine ties and 13 lead changes. Wheaton (5-16, 2-10 CCIW) shot nearly 51 percent from the field for the game, while Carroll (6-15, 2-10) was just under 44 percent from the field on the game. 

The games leading scorer was Thunder sophomore Soren Richardson, who scored 29 points on 11-for-23 shooting in 37 minutes of play. The Pios had for players score in double-figures, led by senior Aaron Wafford. Wafford scored an efficient 20 points, 12 of which came beyond the arc. Wafford was joined in double figures by junior center Jacob Naber, who nearly had a double-double with 14 points and eight rebounds, and fellow seniors Kobe Simpson and Erik Victorson, who contributed 13 and 12 points, respectively. 

Both teams got out to hot starts, as the two teams combined for 36 points in the first seven minutes of action. Hot shooting continued throughout the half, with Wheaton controlling a majority of the opening period. The Thunder grabbed their largest lead of the half at 10 points with just under three minutes remaining, but Carroll closed the half with a 6-2 run behind three points from both Victorson and graduate senior Justin Steinike. The two teams took a breather, with the score in the fast-paced contest 43-37 at the half in favor of Wheaton. 

The Thunder opened the second half with more hot shooting, outscoring Carroll 13-8 through the first four minutes of the period. As they have done all season, Carroll continued to play hard and chip away at the lead. Over the next eight minutes, a 23-12 Pioneer run was capped off by a Wafford three from the left wing, tying the game at 68. On the ensuing possession, what started with a defensive rebound from Eckahelo Simpson ended with Kobe Simpson taking a trip to the free throw line. Kobe would give Carroll their first lead in nearly 28 minutes of gameplay. Carroll held their advantage for three mor minutes, responding to Wheaton's points with a basket of their own. However, Carroll began to lose steam, as Wheaton went on to outscore the Pioneers by a 17-6 margin over the final three and a half minutes. As the final buzzer sounded, the scoreboard read 91-81, sending Carroll home with another heartbreaking defeat. 

Carroll looks to regroup on Wednesday, February 12, where they travel to North Park University looking to avenge a loss suffered to the Vikings in the CCIW opener on December 4, 2024. Tip-off in Chicago will be at 7 p.m.