WAUKESHA, Wis. – The Carroll University men's basketball team kept up with the number three team in the nation in the first half, but a slow start offensively led to a 54-72 defeat by the Titans of Illinois Wesleyan on Saturday afternoon in Waukesha. Ryan Mendoza led the Pioneers with 18 points off the bench in 21 minutes.
 
The Pioneers (5-13, 1-8 CCIW) shot under 40% from the field for the game but knocked down 9-23 three-point baskets. The Pioneers scored 44 points from the bench players led by Mendoza and Carter Sturgeon (9 PTS, 3-6 FGM). Carroll surrendered 36 rebounds to the Titans, 10 of which were offensive rebounds leading to 15 second-chance points.

After quickly finding themselves down eight three minutes into the contest, Carter Sturgeon knocked down a spot-up three-point basket for his second field goal of the night. Sturgeon's bucket kicked off a 10-2 run that tied the game with 13:47 left in the first half. The Pioneers never led the Titans get farther than three points ahead and Justin Gruber's fast-break three-pointer gave Carroll its first lead of the game with 6:38 remaining. Carroll held the lead for over three minutes before the Titans crawled back with 2:42 left. Carroll went into halftime after shooting 5-13 from three and 10-27 from the floor down three points.
 
Carroll came out of halftime and quickly was down nine points to the Titans. The Pios didn't score their first second-half points until Mendoza scored for the first time three minutes into the period. The Titans took a 21-point lead just five minutes later, going on a 21-3 run since the start of the second half. Mendoza knocked down 4-5 three-pointers in 12 minutes in the second half, but the Titans had answers on their 42-point outburst.
 
The Pioneers will head down to Wheaton Illinois next week Wednesday, January 26 for a 7 PM tip-off with the Thunder. Carroll fell earlier this season to the Thunder at home, 57-81.