Carroll’s win, along with a loss by Grinnell College at Ripon College, puts Carroll in sole possession of second-place in the Midwest Conference with a 10-3 record in league play (14-6 overall). The win also clinches a spot for the Pioneers in the four-team post-season league tournament. It is the first time since 1995 the Carroll men’s basketball team has qualified for the tournament.
“This was one of our goals from the start of the season,” said head coach David Schultz. “It definitely shows our program is headed in the right direction.”
Lake Forest falls to 6-6 in the MWC, 9-10 overall.
The Pioneers jumped out to a 34-23 lead but the Foresters battled back to make a game of it. Lake Forest closed to within 2-points at 61-59 with 1:49 remaining in the game. The Foresters had an opportunity to tie the score but saw a short jumper fall just short. Five free-throws down the stretch sealed the win for Carroll.
Lake Forest held a 41-28 advantage in rebounding but the Pioneers outscored the Foresters 18-6 from the three-point line.
“This was definitely a hard-fought game and once again, we weren’t sharp offensively,” said Schultz. “Defensively though, we did enough to get a lead and keep it. We didn’t win a few close games earlier this year but have one a few here lately.”
Sophomore Jason Scheper (Mukwonago, Wis./Mukwonago) and junior Ben Hickethier (Adams, Wis./Adams-Friendship) added 10 points each and pulled down seven and eight rebounds, respectively.
Junior Eric McDonald (Elk Grove, Ill./Elk Grove) led the Foresters with a game-high 23 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore Franklyn Beckford (Jacksonville, Ill./Jacksonville) also recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Carroll returns to action Saturday, Feb. 14 when they travel to Lawrence University. Lawrence is currently 10-1 in league play and has a two game lead over Carroll for first place.
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