WAUKESHA, Wis. – Carroll University battled to the final horn but came up just short in a 71–67 loss to Carthage in College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin men's basketball action Saturday afternoon at the Van Male Fieldhouse.

The game featured 11 lead changes and four ties, with neither team able to pull away until the closing minutes. Carroll trailed 31–30 at halftime before the teams traded momentum throughout the second half.

Carthage built a 10-point lead midway through the second half, but Carroll responded with a surge that briefly swung the advantage back in its favor. A layup by Michael McNabb with 6:34 remaining gave the Pioneers a 58–57 lead, and Carroll held a three-point edge following a pair of free throws with just under six minutes to play.

The Firebirds answered with timely baskets and free throws down the stretch, reclaiming the lead at the 2:33 mark and closing the game at the foul line to secure the win.

Peyton McKenna led Carroll with 11 points, knocking down three three-pointers, while Evan Bland added nine points and two assists. Michael McNabb finished with eight points and five assists, and Jacob Naber chipped in six points and 10 rebounds.

Carroll held a 30–24 advantage in points in the paint and finished with 13 fast-break points, but struggled from the field overall, shooting 33.8 percent. Carthage converted 20 free throws, compared to 16 for the Pioneers, proving decisive in a tightly contested contest.

Carroll moves to 12–13 overall and 7–9 in CCIW play, with the regular season coming to an end. Their next matchup will come in the CCIW conference tournament when they travel to the 3-seed, Elmhurst on Tuesday.