WAUKESHA, Wis. –  The Beloit College men's basketball team were faced with a hard-fought contest against Carroll University at Van Male Fieldhouse this evening, ultimately falling short 63-61 in a game that saw several lead changes and crucial momentum swings. The Buccaneers fall to 0-3 on the season (0-0 MWC) while the Pioneers improve to 1-1 overall (0-0 CCIW).

The first half proved to be a seesaw battle, with Beloit initially establishing a commanding presence. Early in the game, the Buccaneers built their biggest lead, going up by 10 points at the 0:57 mark of the first quarter. This strong start was fueled by effective offensive plays and solid defense. Anthony Carter (Greenfield, Wis.) made his presence felt early, contributing to the scoring with a 3-pointer off a Pioneer turnover and later adding a layup from another turnover. Dae'Quan Davis (Chicago, Ill.) also emerged as an offensive threat, particularly in transition, with a fast-break layup in the paint. By halftime, the Bucs held a 34-26 advantage, demonstrating their capability to control the game's tempo and execute on offense.

However, the second half saw the Pioneers begin to chip away at Beloit's lead. The momentum started to shift, with Carroll taking their biggest lead of 8 points at the 19:35 mark of the second half. Beloit, though, refused to back down. The Buccaneers mounted a significant scoring run of 10 points, the best for either team in the second half, showcasing their ability to claw their way back into contention.

Semaj Roy (Chicago, Ill.) was a consistent force, particularly in the first half where he contributed significantly to Beloit's scoring. His four made field goals in the second half also kept Beloit in the hunt. He finished the game with a double-double and team-highs in points (15) and rebounds (11). Lathan Lewis (Rockford, Ill.) also made impactful plays, including a second-chance jump shot in the first half and another 3-pointer in the second. Carter and Davis rounded out the double-digit scorers with 13 and 10 respectively. 

In the end, the game came down to the wire. The Bucs led with 43 seconds left but timely free throws and a layup with 18 seconds left sealed the deal for Carroll.

The Buccaneers have a quick turnaround before heading to Watertown for a match up with Maranatha Baptist on Friday. Tip off is set for 7 pm.