Carroll University got off to a fast start and then turned back a Lakeland University mid-game rally, pulling away again to defeat the Muskies women's basketball team 72-57 Tuesday night in a non-conference game at the Moose & Dona Woltzen Gymnasium.

The shorthanded Muskies played from behind the whole game, even as they put together a big rally after trailing by 19 points in the second quarter. Lakeland lost its second straight game, though, and dropped to 3-2 overall while the Pioneers improved to 3-3.

The Muskies fell behind 5-0 to start the game and saw Carroll go on a 14-3 run to start the second quarter. Three-point shooting sniper Theresa Wichser hit five triples in the first half, and her fifth gave the Pioneers their largest lead of the game at 32-13 with 5:39 left in the first half.

Lakeland came alive from there, cutting the deficit to 36-28 by halftime, and got all the way within one point at 38-37 after Miranda Jacobson (Sr.-Felch, Mich.) converted a layup on a strong drive making it 38-37 with still 6:15 left in the third. The Muskies never would take the lead, though, as the Pioneers answered with a 15-3 run, with Kayla Stefka's three-pointer making it 53-40.

Lakeland would only get it down under double digits one more time the rest of the way, when Jacobson hit a three-pointer to start the fourth quarter and make it 58-49. The Muskies scored just one point over the next 4 minutes, 14 seconds though, hitting just three of their final 13 shots and 1 of 5 from the foul line in the fourth quarter.

The Muskies were unable to find a rhythm on offense and shot 35.3%, making 18 of 51 shots. Lakeland also struggled considerably at the foul line, making 15 of 30 free throws, including 6 of 17 in the second half.

Jacobson scored 17 points and added nine rebounds, leading the team in both categories. Kylie Birkholz (Jr.-Kenosha, Wis.) added nine points and four boards in her first collegiate start, as Lakeland's leading scorer, rebounder and shot blocker Megan Will did not play. Morgan Zenon (Fr.-Twin Lakes, Wis.) also added seven points and six rebounds, and Kacey Gardner (Fr.-Evergreen Park, Ill.) also finished with six points and five assists in her first start.

Wichser led Carroll with 17 points, while Stefka finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds off the bench and Katie Rossetti also notched a double-double with 10 points and 12 boards as the Pioneers posted a 50-36 rebounding advantage. Alyssa Cruz also finished with six points, six rebounds and a game-high nine assists.

The Muskies are home again Saturday when they welcome Benedictine University for a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference contest beginning at 2 p.m.