The Carroll University women’s basketball team broke open a close game early in the second half and went on to a 56-44 Midwest Conference victory over Lawrence University on Tuesday at Alexander Gymnasium.
Janelle Groer led Carroll (3-8, 2-4 MWC) with 14 points, and Kelly Menden added 12. Breann Maryanski pulled down 11 rebounds for the Pioneers.
Chioma Ejimkonye paced Lawrence (1-10, 1-5) and all scorers with 19 points. Presley Neuman tied for game-high honors with 11 rebounds for the Vikings.
The game was tight throughout the first half, and Carroll went on a brief 8-1 scoring run to grab a 29-21 lead with 1:41 left in the opening 20 minutes. Lawrence trimmed that margin to 29-23 at the break.
Carroll then opened the second half by scoring the first eight points of the second half, including four by Menden, to take a 37-23 lead. Ejimkonye countered for Lawrence with a layup and a three-point play to trim the lead to 37-28 with 14:16 left.
Carroll responded by outscoring the Vikings 8-2 over the next five minutes to grab a 47-30 edge. Lawrence never got closer than the final margin the rest of the way.
The Vikings return to action on Friday when they host Grinnell College.