Lawrence, ranked #2 in the latest D3hoops.com poll, remains the only undefeated collegiate basketball team in the country at 21-0 overall, 15-0 in the Midwest Conference. Carroll, ranked #14 by D3hoops.com, falls to 19-3 overall, 13-2 in the MWC. The win gives the Vikings their third consecutive MWC Championship and the right to host the league’s post season conference tournament to be played Feb. 24-25.
The Pioneers seemed poised for its biggest win in school history throughout most of the game. Carroll led 38-34 at halftime and built a nine point lead with 14:09 remaining in the second half.
The Vikings battled back over the next seven minutes to tie the score at 52-52 with 6:52 to play then took the lead on its next possession. They extended the lead to three points at 61-58 when Bradley hit a three pointer with 2:05 to play.
Two free throws and three-pointer by Carroll senior Jason Scheper (Mukwonago, Wis./Mukwonago) over the next 56 seconds reclaimed the lead for the Pioneers at 63-61 with 1:11 on the clock.
A free throw by Lawrence senior Chris Braier (Wauwatosa, Wis./East) closed the gap to 63-62 and the Vikings got the ball back with eight seconds remaining after a missed jumper by Carroll senior James Johnson (Gahanna, Ohio/Homestead).
The Pioneers appeared to have regained possession when Lawrence senior Kyle MacGillis (Wauwatosa, Wis./Pius XI) tossed an errant pass but officials ruled the ball deflected off a Carroll player and the Vikings retained the ball with 3.4 remaining. MacGillis then received the inbounds pass and found Bradley under the basket for the game winner.
“This is a tough, tough loss,” said Carroll head coach David Schultz. “It was a tough, hard fought game between two really good teams. I can’t fault my guys for their heart and will to win.”
In addition to the regular season finale on Saturday at Beloit College, the Pioneers will be a formidable opponent in the conference tournament as they try to earn the MWC’s automatic NCAA Tournament berth. “Our season definitely isn’t over,” said Schultz. “We’ll refocus for Beloit then get ready to make a run at the tournament title.”
Over 1,800 fans packed Carroll’s Van Male Fieldhouse to watch only the second Midwest Conference game in history that featured two teams ranked in the top 15 of the D3hoops.com top 25 national poll.