ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – The Carroll University men's basketball team held on late in the second half to secure its second CCIW road win of the season with a 69-68 victory over the Augustana College Vikings. Four Pioneers scored in double digits, led by Justin Steinike's 14 points, three rebounds, three steals, and two assists. Justin Gruber knocked down two three-point baskets to help him score 11.
 
The Pioneers (6-14, 2-9 CCIW) continue to shoot over 45% from the field, finishing 25-53 from the floor tonight with eight made three-point baskets. Despite being out-rebounded by the Vikings, the Pios outscored them in the paint 30-24 and had more points from their bench. Paradisio Dante led the Carroll bench with 10 points on 5-6 shooting. Carroll led by as much as 12 points in the first half and led for over 35 minutes of the contest, including the entire second half.
 
Josh Hudgens (8 PTS) scored the first basket for Carroll tonight, but the Vikings took a 5-2 lead shortly after. Ryan Mendoza (3 PTS) tied the game and on the next possession, Dante's hook shot gave Carroll the lead back just under six minutes into the first half. Dante scored six points in his three minutes on the court as Carroll took as much as a seven-point lead during that span. Trenton Nickel (7 PTS) scored a two-point bucket to give Carroll a 12-point lead on a 9-0 Carroll run with 5:59 left in the first half. The Vikings were able to cut the deficit to five with the help of some free throws, but Carroll still held a 30-25 lead at the break.
 
Gruber opened the second half with his second three-point basket of the game, as the Pios and Vikings traded baskets in the opening minutes. Carroll fell scoreless for just under three minutes, but Tyler Miller's three-point basket started a 9-2 Carroll run that ended with a Nickel basket with 10:01 remaining in the game. The Vikings were able to cut the lead to five with the help of free throws, but Carroll still provided answers on the offensive end. With 31 seconds remaining up five, the Pioneers had an errant pass to give Augie an easy basket and cut Carroll's lead to three. The Pios finished 3-6 at the free-throw line and had another turnover under 30 seconds remaining in the game, but lengthy possessions helped secure the victory as Augie cut the game to one.
 
The Pioneers will host the Elmhurst Bluejays on Wednesday, February 2^nd. The top 25 ranked Bluejays defeated the Pioneers in Elmhurst earlier this season, 78-85.