LA CROSSE, Wis. – The Lakeland College men's basketball team shot just 30% from the field but showed grit in hanging around all the way before losing to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse 63-55 in its season opener Monday night at Mitchell Hall.

Lakeland hit just 18 of 60 shots but received 35 points from its bench, including 11 points from freshman Pat McDonald (Port Washington, Wis.) and 10 points and eight rebounds from Tanner Hackl (Sr.-West De Pere, Wis.). The Eagles were victorious, though, and rebounded from an opening loss to NCAA Division III No.-1 ranked Augustana (Ill.) College to improve to 1-1.

The Muskies trailed almost the entire way, with UW-L taking the lead for good just over seven minutes into the game. The Eagles never could shake Lakeland, though, despite leading by as many as 14.

UW-La Crosse led by as many as 10 in the first half and took a 34-26 lead into halftime. The hosts eventually pushed the lead to 45-31 with 14:43 left after a layup by Austin Fritz, but the Muskies came back with six straight points to make it 45-37.

The Eagles went back ahead by 12 on two more occasions but couldn't put it away, and Lakeland closed with 56-52 after two free throws by McDonald with 2:13 left in the game. The Muskies had multiple chances to get even closer after UW-L was guilty of a shot clock violation and then missed two free throws, but couldn't capitalize and the Eagles closed the game out at the foul line.

Brandon Hagenow (Sr.-Sussex, Wis.) and Zach Van Engen (Sr.-Sheboygan Falls, Wis.) both added eight points each for Lakeland. The Muskies also were cold from long range, making just 3 of 13 (23.1%) and converted 16 of 24 from the foul line (66.7%).

Devin Yurk led UW-La Crosse with 19 points and added six rebounds. The Eagles shot 40.0% (20 of 50) and out-rebounded Lakeland 46-39 to compensate for 21 turnovers.

The Muskies now get ready for their home opener on Saturday when they will host Martin Luther (Minn.) College at 5 p.m. at the Moose & Dona Woltzen Gymnasium.