The Millikin men's basketball team held on a late rally to defeat Carroll University 57-54 on December 9 at the Griswold Center in Decatur, Illinois.

          Millikin held a 25-19 advantage and halftime.  The Big Blue started the second half strong and pushed its lead out to 44-23 with just over 10 minutes left in the game.

Carroll then began to whittle away at the Millikin lead and pulled to within two at 52-50 with 1:58 remaining on a Tanner Zaeske layup.  The Big Blue used a free throw from Elijah Henry and two from Tyler Pygon to pull ahead 55-50 with 13 seconds remaining.

Joel Heesch made it a 55-52 game.  After Millikin went one for two at the free throw line, Carroll's Ray Pierce made it a 56-54 game with one second left to play.  Michael Beaty hit one free throw with point six seconds left to secure the 57-54 Big Blue win.

          Millikin shot 43.5 percent from the field and went 5-17 (29 percent) from three-point range.  Millikin went 12-20 (60 percent) from the free throw line.  Carroll hit on 34.5 percent from the field and went 4-22 from three-point range.  The Pioneers were 10-16 (62.5 percent) from the line.  Carroll won the rebounding battle 36-32.

          Sophomore Zach Fisher came off the Millikin bench to score a game high 19 points.  Levi Laws, DeVante Harrell, Jordan Cunningham and Beaty each finished with eight points.  Korbin Farmer had a team high five rebounds and a career high four blocks.

          Joel Heesch led Carroll led Carroll with 14 points and seven rebounds.

          Millikin is now 5-3, 1-2 while Carroll falls to 2-4, 0-2.

          After final exams this week, the Big Blue will return to action on December 17 at Westminster College.