BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Carroll women's basketball faced a tough road test at #13 Illinois Wesleyan on Wednesday afternoon, falling 85-52 at the Shirk Center.

Carroll (8-4, 2-1 CCIW) started strong, trading baskets with the Titans in the opening quarter and trailing just 21-10 after the first ten minutes. The Pioneers found their rhythm in the second period, with Anna Nielsen and Katie Barger combining for nine points as Carroll trimmed the deficit to 32-25 at halftime.

Illinois Wesleyan (9-4, 4-0 CCIW) seized control in the third quarter, outscoring Carroll 28-17 behind a barrage of threes and transition buckets. The Titans shot 47.1 percent (32-68) from the field and 48.0 percent (12-25) from beyond the arc, using a 12-0 run midway through the third to break the game open. Carroll struggled to keep pace offensively, shooting 35 percent (16-46) overall and just 7.7 percent (1-13) from three-point range.

Senior forward Natalie Gricius led Carroll with 15 points and six rebounds, while Katie Barger added 12 points and four boards. Anna Nielsen chipped in seven points and four rebounds, and Kacy Kratz contributed six points off the bench. The Pioneers excelled at the free-throw line, converting 19-of-21 attempts (90.5 percent).

Illinois Wesleyan was paced by Sawyer White's 37 points (13-19 FG, 8-11 3PT), while Ava Bardic and Sara Balli combined for 31 points and 13 rebounds. The Titans forced 17 Carroll turnovers and scored 35 points off those miscues, while also winning the fast-break battle 21-9.

Carroll will look to regroup and bounce back at home in their next contest, continuing CCIW play as they host Elmhurst on Wednesday at Van Male at 7pm.