Waukesha, Wis. -- Looking to build on their impressive win streak and maintain their spot atop the CCIW standings, the Wheaton men's basketball team traveled north on Wednesday evening to face the Carroll Pioneers in a conference road test. The hosts proved to be a pesky opponent and nearly completed a double-digit comeback in the second half, but the Thunder held their nerve and eventually pulled away for a 13-point win. As a result of tonight's victory, Wheaton moves to 7-1 in conference play, 7-0 on the road this season, and is now enjoying the longest win streak for the program since February of 2021. 

Back-to-back baskets in the paint for the Pioneers followed an early Eddie Scott three-pointer to push Carroll back ahead at 6-3, but Tyson Cruickshank and TJ Askew combined for the game's next eight points, and Wheaton never relinquished the lead after the 14:38 mark of the first half. A layup by Nick Schiavello with just over seven minutes remaining in the half stretched the visitors' lead to as much as 16 points, but the home side mounted a 15-4 run to put Wheaton on notice as the first period wound down. Schiavello stepped up again with a clutch three-pointer to halt the Pioneers' momentum, and despite this being the only bucket from open play for the Thunder in the final four and a half minutes, Wheaton's defensive prowess allowed them to take a 32-25 lead into the locker room.

Scott began the second half the same way he did the first by splashing in a triple to extend Wheaton's lead back up to double digits. Carroll missed their first six shots of the second frame, and it appeared as though the Thunder might have clear daylight. But consecutive conversions from beyond the arc pulled the Pioneers back into the contest, and Carroll largely managed to stay within single digits of their guests until the 3:15 point of the game. It looked like the result was not going to be decided until the final few possessions, as every time Wheaton made a shot, Carroll was able to answer back. But Andrew Williams made a critical play with just over three minutes remaining, stealing the ball and notching a jumper in the lane on the ensuing fast break to firmly put the result within Wheaton's grasp. Eli Considine followed up a minute later after the Thunder forced another turnover to push Wheaton's advantage back to 13 points, and from that flurry onwards, it was simply a case of game management for the conference leaders on their way to another win.

Both teams shot the ball more accurately in the second half, but Wheaton finished with a superior overall percentage of 45.8 to Carroll's 43.6% mark. Each side registered seven three-pointers, but one key to the Thunder's victory was the number of trips to the free throw line. Wheaton only allowed their hosts to earn four foul shots but converted ten of their own from the stripe. The Thunder also enjoyed advantages in rebounding, points in the paint, second chance opportunities, and bench production that enabled tonight's win.

Four different Wheaton players scored double-digits on Wednesday. Andrew Williams earned seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals to supplement his joint team-high point total of 15. Nick Schiavello joined Williams on 15 points and two steals and grabbed four boards while blocking one shot. TJ Askew contributed 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and a takeaway. Reigning CCIW Men's Basketball Student-Athlete of the Week Tyson Cruickshank tallied 12 points and game-highs of nine rebounds and eight assists. Eli Considine registered nine points, five boards, three dimes, and a pair of steals in the win.

Having carved out their position at the top of the CCIW pile halfway through conference play, Wheaton's focus can now turn to their matchup with Illinois Wesleyan at the weekend. The old rivals are set to face off in King Arena at 7:15 PM on Saturday night.