NAPERVILLE, ILL. – The Carroll University women's basketball team secured a strong road victory against the Cardinals of North Central tonight, winning 69-55. Chloe Halverson led all scorers with 16 points on 5-7 shooting, a team-high eight rebounds, two assists, and two steals in her first career start. Three other Pioneers scored in double digits as well.
 
The Pioneers (16-6, 8-6 CCIW) move to two games over .500 in the CCIW as the conference tournament approaches in two weeks. Carroll finished shooting 42.3% from the field, as well as knocking down a season-high nine three-point baskets as well. Megan Madsen (9 PTS) led the team with three makes. Carroll forced 21 turnovers from the Cardinals with 11 steals, leading to 23 points off turnovers. The Cardinals finished shooting just 39.3% and only 2-16 from deep. In a game with five lead changes and the score tied twice, Carroll led for just under 28 minutes of the game.
 
The Pios and the Cardinals started the game going back and forth over a few possessions before North Central took a 5-0 run before the media timeout. Madsen knocked down her first three of the game to bring the score to a two-point difference, and Kate Christian hit free throws to tie it with 3:18 remaining. North Central took advantage of Carroll turnovers and fouls to go up four points after one quarter. Olivia Rangel scored three quick points to open the second quarter, followed up by Christian giving Carroll the lead back. With 6:21 remaining in the first half, Halverson started a Carroll 14-7 run, capped off by a Katie Evans three-pointer off a turnover just before the buzzer.
 
Evans scored right away off a turnover to start the second half, and Halverson gave Carroll its first double-digit lead with back-to-back three-point baskets. Evans knocked down a second-chance three-point basket from the top of the arc to keep the Pioneers up double-digits with 3:59 left in the third. Carroll ended the third on a 6-0 run led by four points from Halverson.
 
Rangel scored five straight points to start the final quarter and to give Carroll a 21 point lead. The Cardinals were able to cut into the lead and moved the deficit to just 12, but Madsen responded with a three-point jumper assisted from Evans. The Pios ended the game 5-6 from the free-throw line and had a layup mixed in to secure the victory.
 
Carroll will play its remaining two regular-season games at home, starting with in-state rival Carthage College on Wednesday, Feb. 16.