(Beloit, Wis.) - A short-handed Carroll University men's basketball came up just short in its Midwest Conference tilt at Beloit College, falling to the Buccaneers by a score of 54-51.

The undermanned Pioneers held as much as a nine point lead in the first half and went into the break of the low scoring affair leading 26-22.

The teams traded leads several times in the final 20 minutes. With the score tied at 50 apiece with 1:48 remaining, the hosts would end the game with a 4-1 run to earn the victory.

Tanner Zaeske led CU with 15 points.

Carroll slumped from the field in the second half, connecting on just 33.3% of its field goal attempts. Beloit connected on 52.6% of its shots in 40 minutes of action.

The loss drops Carroll to 8-9 overall, 5-7 in league play while Beloit improves to 6-12 overall, 5-8 in the MWC.