No. 20 Carroll Doubles Up Wheaton (Ill.) As Pioneers Continue To Roll

WAUKESHA, Wis. - Carroll's women's basketball team won their fourth consecutive game Wednesday night, and 13th in their last 14 contests, defeating Wheaton (Ill.) College by a score of 83-39. That gives the Pioneers 18 wins on the season, which is the sixth-most victories in a season in program history, with at least four games still to play this season.

Carroll's defense was stifling all night, allowing less than 10 points in two of the game's four quarters, while also limiting the Thunder (11-11, 4-9 CCIW) to just 21 percent (13-60) shooting, including 13 percent (3-24) from 3-point range. The Pioneers (18-4, 11-2 CCIW) also scored 30 points off 23 Wheaton turnovers, while also scoring 24 fast break points. Carroll out-rebounded the Thunder by a 52-36 margin.

Wheaton's Annie Tate scored the game's first points on the opening possession, but that would be their only lead, as a Natalie Gricius jumper on the other end tied the game on the ensuing possession, before Natalie Palzkill gave the Pios the lead for good on a layup less than a minute and a half into the game. Carroll led 22-9 at the end of one quarter, before erupting for 36 second-quarter points to take a 58-19 lead into halftime.

The Pioneers shot 49 percent (32-66) on the night. All 14 players on the roster played at least four minutes, while all but two scored at least one basket. Gricius and Palzkill led the team with 16 points apiece, while also combining for five rebounds, five assists, and four steals. Olivia Rangel added 11 points in 26 minutes, while also recording seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Anna Nielsen added nine points off the bench, as she converted all three of her shots.

Tate led Wheaton with 21 points and eight rebounds, as she was the only Thunder player to score in double figures. Jenna Hunter added eight points and three boards.

With the win, the Pioneers remain tied atop the CCIW with Illinois Wesleyan, who own the tiebreaker over the Pioneers. Carroll will be in action again on Saturday when they'll travel to North Central (Ill.). That game will begin at 5 p.m. in Naperville, Ill.