NAPERVILLE, Ill. — #20 Carroll women's basketball picked up a key CCIW road win Wednesday night, defeating North Central 78–74 behind a balanced offensive effort and a strong second-quarter surge that flipped the momentum in Gregory Arena.

#20 Carroll (11–4, 5–1 CCIW) shot 51.8% from the field, 82.4% at the line, and outscored North Central 36–22 in the paint, while also generating 15 fast-break points and 14 second-chance points. Twelve different Pioneers saw the floor, with nine contributing to the scoring column.

Julia Lokker delivered a standout performance, scoring a team-high 26 points on 9–of-16 shooting while adding 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 steals for one of her most complete games of the season. Natalie Gricius provided another strong outing with 23 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals across 31 minutes.

Emilie Wizner totaled 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists, hitting a pair of key threes to help spark Carroll's offense. Anna Nielsen added 12 points and 4 assists, while Lainey Gussman, Ciara McMahon, and Katie Barger gave valuable minutes as well.

After trailing 18–13 at the end of the first quarter, the Pioneers erupted for 27 second-quarter points, using a 13–0 run to seize the lead. Carroll led 40–30 at halftime and built the advantage to 10 early in the third. North Central rallied to tie the game at 50–50, but Carroll responded with timely baskets from Gricius, Wizner and Lokker to regain control.

In the fourth, Lokker and Nielsen converted several crucial finishes at the rim, and Gricius iced the game at the line in the final seconds to secure the road win.

North Central (10–6, 4–3 CCIW) was led by Jocelyn Trotter's 21 points and Dolly Smith's 14.

Carroll returns to action this weekend as conference play continues in Rock Island, IL as they travel to face Augustana this Saturday with tip at 2pm.