WAUKESHA, Wis. - In one of the premier early-season match-ups in Division-III women's basketball, #21 Carroll gave #4 UW-Whitewater all they could handle Saturday night before losing 62-60 after the Pios couldn't get a potential game-winning 3-pointer to, fall at the buzzer.

Carroll (2-1) was in control for much of the game, as they got out to a quick 5-0 lead courtesy of a Natalie Gricius layup and a 3-pointer from Emilie Wizner on the Pios' first two possessions. They would hold that lead for the entirety of the first half, leading by as many as 10 points late in the second quarter after a Chloe Halverson 3-pointer. UW-Whitewater would cut that lead to seven, but Carroll's Julia Lokker converted a jump shot in the final minute to give the Pioneers a 32-23 halftime lead.

The third quarter proved to be the difference in the game, as UW-Whitewater more than doubled their scoring output, which saw them outscore the Pios 26-14, missing just one of their 10 shot attempts in the period. The Warhawks took their first lead of the game with less than two minutes remaining in the third on a layup by Maggie Trautsch.

Trailing by three entering the final quarter, the Pioneers tied the game on a traditional three-point play by Olivia Rangel on the period's opening possession, to tie the score at 49. Carroll would then go on a five-minute scoring drought that allowed UW-W to take a five point advantage. They would increase that lead to seven with one and a half minutes to play, but Carroll was undeterred, as Halverson willed the Pios back into the game with back-to-back 3-pointers to cut that lead to one with 13 seconds on the clock. After Whitewater converted just one of two free throws, Carroll had an opportunity to win the game in the final seconds, but their last-second 3-point attempt went awry, sending Whitewater home with the victory.

Carroll shot 39 percent (22-57) from the field, including 29 percent (4-14) from 3-point range. They were led by Rangel's 16 points, six rebounds, six assists, and four steals. Gricius added 13 points and five boards, while Halverson scored eight of her 11 points in the final minute and a half of regulation, making 3-of-4 three-pointers and finishing with six rebounds and four steals.

UW-Whitewater shot 43 percent (21-49) for the game, including 41 percent (7-17) from 3-point range. Kacie Carollo led all scorers with 26 points on 9-of-15 shooting (3-for-5 from 3-point range), while also turning the ball over a game-high seven times. Trautsch added 17 points and four boards for the Warhawks.

The Pioneers will try to rebound next weekend when they'll take part in the Hope College Tournament in Holland, Mich. They will battle Olivet on Friday at 5 p.m. ET, before facing 12th-ranked Hope College Saturday at 4 p.m. ET.