WAUKESHA, Wis. – The Carroll University men's basketball team opened its 2026-27 campaign with an impressive effort Saturday afternoon, battling UW-Whitewater until the final possession before falling 78-74 inside Van Male Fieldhouse. The Pioneers led by as many as 16 points and held the advantage for more than 30 minutes against a Warhawks squad receiving votes nationally.
Carroll (0-1) came out firing, with Peyton McKenna knocking down a three-pointer on the Pioneers' opening possession. The Pios began to create separation midway through the first half, using an 11-1 stretch highlighted by five points from Michael McNabb to build a 27-13 advantage. Dennis Estepp then finished a transition layup to push the lead to a game-high 16 points at 29-13 with 6:51 remaining.
UW-Whitewater answered before halftime, trimming the Carroll lead behind a late surge. The Warhawks closed the half on a 10-3 run over the final three-plus minutes, but a three-pointer from Hayden Stebbins helped send the Pioneers into the locker room holding a 41-39 advantage. Carroll connected on seven first-half three-pointers while receiving 15 points from its bench.
The teams traded punches throughout a second half that featured 11 lead changes and five ties. Carroll grabbed its largest lead of the period when Cale Buboltz buried a three and Logan Steffensmeier followed with a dunk, putting the Pios ahead 64-56 with 8:10 remaining.
Whitewater responded once again, eventually taking a 69-68 lead with 3:31 to play. Steffensmeier answered with a three-pointer to put Carroll back in front, 71-69, before the Warhawks scored five straight. Steffensmeier's dunk brought Carroll within 74-73 with 1:23 left, but Collin Madson answered with a three on the ensuing possession. Carroll remained within three in the final minute and had two opportunities in the closing seconds before Whitewater secured the 78-74 victory.
Steffensmeier led four Pioneers in double figures with 15 points and seven rebounds, shooting 5-of-7 from the floor and 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. McKenna added 14 points, four assists and two steals, while McNabb finished with 13 points and four assists. Estepp chipped in 10 points and five rebounds, and Jimmy Tarjan controlled the glass with a game-high 11 rebounds.
Carroll finished with a 40-31 rebounding advantage and received 30 points from its bench. The Pioneers shot 41.8 percent from the floor and made 11 three-pointers, but Whitewater countered by shooting 48.2 percent and outscoring Carroll 18-7 at the free-throw line.
The Pioneers now turn their attention to the Bethel Invite, taking place in St. Paul, MN on Friday, November 13th at 5pm when they take on Loras, followed by another matchup against Bethel on the 14th.
