KENOSHA, Wis. - An impressive first quarter display from Carroll and Olivia Rangel, along with eight threes, helped the Pioneers defeat the Firebirds in an early January CCIW matchup. Carroll led by as many as 15 before Carthage clawed back to within three late, but time ran out and the Pios walked away with a road victory. 



 

• Final score: Carroll 70, Carthage 67.
• Location: Tarble Arena - Kenosha, Wisconsin. 
• Records: Carthage 6-7 (2-2 CCIW), Carroll 8-5 (3-1 CCIW). 

 
 

• The visiting Pios got off to a hot start thanks to strong offensive play by star guard Olivia Rangel. Carroll opened up a 17-4 lead before a three from Ayanna Ester and free throws from Emma Thistle brought the score to 21-9 after one. 
• Carthage's defensive intensity elevated early in the second quarter to bring them back in the game. Carroll's first points in the quarter came at the free throw line nearly four minutes in, while Carthage capitalized to go on a 6-0 run and cut the deficit to six. 
• The Pios failed to convert on a field goal in the quarter until 1:13 remained on the clock, as Carthage's press and active hands stymied Carroll's effectiveness offensively. Carthage got to within one on an Elena Knebel jump shot with 1:43 left in the half before the Pios closed with a 6-2 run to seize a five-point halftime advantage. 
• The third quarter opened in a similar fashion to the first quarter for the Pios, as Carroll began the half on a 9-0 run. Marianna Morrissey ended the Pio burst with four points in less than 20 seconds. 
• The visiting team's lead shot back up to 15 with under four minutes remaining in the period and settled at 11 at the quarter's conclusion. After an excellent stretch of games in December, Marianna Morrissey continued her strong play and scored seven points in the penultimate quarter. 
• Carroll's lead grew to 14 with seven minutes remaining and held firm at 10 with just a little under four to go before Carthage went on an impressive run to get back in the game. Three points from Jessie Pakaski were sandwiched between a pair of Emma Thistle three-pointers to bring the Firebirds to within six. Pakaski would score again in the paint with 30 seconds left to cut the Pio lead to four. 
• Carroll knocked down a pair of freebies to push the lead back to six before yet another Thistle three sliced the Carthage deficit in half. Time would run out on the comeback bid, however, and the Pios walked away with an impressive, hard fought road victory. 
• The Firebirds have put forth some excellent quarters on the defensive end this season, having held Meredith scoreless and limiting Benedictine (Ill.) to five, eight, seven, and nine points in mid-December. Carthage's second quarter tonight fit that bill, as the home team limited Carroll to seven points and 2-16 shooting (12.5%). 
• Carthage shot the ball well from the field, converting at a 49/33.3/72.2 clip. Despite Carroll's size advantage in the interior, the Firebirds won the points in the paint battle by 12.

 

• Two new career bests in scoring were set tonight, as Marianna Morrissey dropped 18 points on 7-10 shooting and Elena Knebel scored ten in a starting role. Morrissey also grabbed six rebounds, and recorded a block and steal, while Knebel hauled in four boards. 
• Ayanna Ester hit three more three-pointers tonight, going 3-6 from beyond the arc. Ester has now drilled 27-68 threes this year - good for just under 40% shooting. 

• The Firebirds stay put in Kenosha, taking on the Titans of Illinois Wesleyan in a Saturday matinee game this weekend, beginning at 2 p.m.