BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) regular-season co-champion Carroll added the title of CCIW Tournament champion on Saturday night, defeating Illinois Wesleyan 88-78 at the Shirk Center.
 
The decision marked Carroll’s first-ever CCIW Tournament championship and the Pioneers’ first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2007. The Pioneers also set a school record for wins in a season on Saturday, improving to 23-4 on the season.
 
Natalie Gricius, an All-CCIW First Team pick, totaled a game-high 31 points for CU. Olivia Rangel, also an All-CCIW First Teamer, stuffed the stat sheet with 24 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and three steals.
 
The Pios shot 54.8 percent (34-for-62) as a team and outscored the Titans in the paint, 54-24.
 
Carroll led Saturday’s championship game for all but 92 seconds. With the score tied at 13-13 with 3:29 left in the first quarter, the Pioneers engineered a quick 8-0 run, punctuated by consecutive buckets from Rangel. The Pios led 21-15 after one period and 46-36 at halftime. 
 
CU's advantage reached 22 points late in the third quarter before the Titans rallied. Kate Palmer’s triple in transition with 5:08 to play capped a 15-2 IWU run. But Carroll kept the hosts at arms' length and didn't allow its advantage to dip below eight points or more the rest of the way, aided by a 10-for-14 effort at the free throw line in the fourth quarter.
 
Lauren Huber scored 22 points and hauled down nine rebounds to pace the Titans, who slipped to 22-5 on the season. Palmer finished with 20 points and six assists.
 
The NCAA Selection Show is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. CT this Monday.