NAPERVILLE — Carroll and Illinois Wesleyan saw their 2025-26 seasons come to a close Saturday in the second round of the NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Championship. Both College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) programs finished the year with matching 23-6 overall records.
 
Carroll dropped an 80-60 decision to Wisconsin-La Crosse at Van Male Fieldhouse. The Pioneers stayed within striking distance through the opening half and trailed by seven at the break before the Eagles used a 27-16 third quarter to pull away.
 
Natalie Gricius closed her career with a game-high 24 points and established a new Carroll single-season scoring record with 639 points. Emilie Wizner added 17 points, including five three-pointers, while Julia Lokker finished with 13 points. Carroll’s season also included a CCIW regular-season championship.
 
In Holland, Mich., Illinois Wesleyan was edged by Hope, 90-85, in overtime. The Titans battled back from a 14-point deficit in the third quarter and used a 9-0 run to take a 66-65 lead in the fourth. After the teams were tied at 77-77 at the end of regulation, Hope outscored Illinois Wesleyan in the extra period.
 
Ava Bardic led the Titans with 26 points, while Sara Balli recorded a career-high 20 points in her final game. Sawyer White added 18 points and four steals.