Justin Ward (Sr.-Wisconsin Dells, Wis.) recorded his first career triple-double and the Lakeland College men's basketball team defeated Aurora (Ill.) University 86-81 in the first showdown between the two teams this season.

Ward dominated the middle, running wild for 28 points, 11 rebounds and 10 blocked shots as the Muskies knocked off the defending Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference champions and the conference preseason favorites. Lakeland improved to 9-3 overall and 5-2 in the NACC while also bring the conference co-leader Spartans back to the pack as well at 9-3 overall and 6-2 in the NACC.

The Muskies also gained a small measure of revenge over Aurora, which won last year's NACC Tournament final matchup between the two schools. Lakeland won last year's regular season meeting between the two schools, but the Spartans defeated the Muskies 95-70 in the conference championship game to advance to the NCAA Division III National Tournament.

Ward made 11 of 21 shots from the field and scored 17 of his 28 points in the first half, helping Lakeland recover from an early 12-point deficit. The 6-foot-9 forward did his best work defensively, though, repeatedly swatting Aurora shots in the paint as he set a career high for blocks.

Six of Ward's blocks came in the second half, when the Muskies buckled down defensively after a freewheeling first half. Aurora led 46-44 at halftime, coming out hot with 33 points in the first 10 minutes, but the Spartans shot just 31.6% in the final 20 minutes.

Lakeland held Aurora to just 14 points over a 14-minute span in the second half, a period which proved to be the difference in the game. The Muskies outscored the Spartans 30-14 over that span, taking control of a close game and leading by as many as 14 points when James Oshkeshequoam (Sr.-Keshena, Wis.) hit a three-pointer to make it 74-60 with 6:10 to play.

Aurora made a run late, getting as close as 75-72 when Tyler Hall hit a jumper with 2:54 to play. The game looked ready to go down to the wire, but Zach Van Engen (So.-Sheboygan Falls, Wis.) hit a big three-pointer on the Muskies' next possession, and Lakeland made enough free throws down the stretch to hold off the visitors.

Joey Burris (Jr.-Kiel, Wis.) came close to giving Lakeland two triple-doubles, finishing with 17 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Oshkeshequoam also added 19 points and Van Engen chipped in 10, but the Muskies won without their most offensive effort after making just 31 of 70 from the field (41.4%).

Hall led the Spartans with 18 points and Kalmon Stokes added 17 points, seven rebounds and four blocked shots. Nick Kladas also had 17 points off the bench, including four quick three-pointers in the first half as Aurora built a 33-21 lead.

Lakeland is on the road again Wednesday when it faces Rockford (Ill.) University at 7 p.m. in Rockford, Ill., in NACC play.