Carroll improves to 12-2 overall, 6-1 in the Midwest Conference while Beloit falls to 6-8 overall, 2-5 in league play.
“This is a good win for us. We were tested in a lot of different areas tonight but we withstood the challenge and came away with a big team win,” said Carroll head coach David Schultz.
The Pioneers shot 51.7% from the field in the first half but were only able to take a 41-39 lead into the break, mostly due to Beloit’s Josh Hinz (Fort Atkinson, Wis./Fort Atkinson), who scored 21 points in the first half and finished with a game-high 30 points and 17 rebounds.
Carroll was able to extend its lead to 10 points with 8:11 remaining in the game but the feisty Buccaneers battled back to pull to within three points. Beloit cut the Carroll lead to 75-72 with 58-seconds remaining and had possession of the ball before committing a costly turnover. Carroll junior Nathan Drury (Littleton, Colo./Littleton) sealed the game with four free throws in the closing seconds.
“When you are at, or near the top of the league, you’re going to have to be ready to play every night because teams are going to come in and give you their best,” said Schultz. “Beloit played a really good game tonight.”
Drury led Carroll with 24 points and seven rebounds while junior forward Paul Toshner (Sussex, Wis./Arrowhead) came of the bench to add 15 points. Senior James Johnson (Gahanna, Ohio/Homestead) dished out a game-high eight assists to go along with his 11 points. Junior Adam Ligocki (Pulaski, Wis./Pulaski) provided Carroll with key minutes and points off the bench. He finished with nine points in just 14 minutes of play.
The Pioneers return to action Tuesday, Jan. 24 when they host MWC rival Ripon College at 7:30 p.m.