ROCKFORD, Ill. – Brandon James (So.-Rockford, Ill.) scored a career-high 26 points in his return home and the Lakeland College men's basketball team received big contributions from its bench in a 98-89 win over Rockford University Saturday afternoon at the Seaver Center.

The Muskies opened the new year by winning their fifth straight game, improving to 8-3 overall and 4-2 in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference. Lakeland also won a battle for position in the conference standings, dropping the Regents to 7-4 overall and 4-3 in league play.

James made 8 of 13 shots from the field and also converted 8 of 9 free throws. The Rockford East High School graduate scored in double figures for the fifth straight game and also added five assists.

Lakeland's reserves also gave the team a big 40-14 advantage in points from the bench. Mark Gryszkiewicz (Jr.-Sussex, Wis.) scored a career-high 14 while adding four steals and Zach Van Engen (Sr.-Sheboygan Falls, Wis.) also added 14 and four assists.

The Muskies came through in a game that was close almost throughout, featuring 14 ties and nine lead changes. Lakeland responded after Rockford finished the first half with a flourish, take the lead in the later stages and then withstanding one final surge from the hosts.

A 15-4 run capped by Gryszkiewicz's steal and layup gave the Muskies a 79-74 lead with 7:38 to play, but the Regents ran off the next six points to go ahead 80-79. Gryszkiewicz followed with a three-pointer with 4:59 left that put Lakeland ahead to stay, starting a 9-2 spurt that put the Muskies in control. Rockford got no closer than four points the rest of the way.

Lakeland led by nine late in the first half at 50-41 after a three-pointer by Van Engen, but the Regents closed the half on a 14-2 run. John O'Bryan scored 24 of his 30 points in the first 20 minutes, and his five free throws in the final 38 seconds gave Rockford a 55-52 lead at the break.

Tanner Hackl (Sr.-West De Pere, Wis.) also added 14 points and a team-high seven rebounds, while Travis Kell (Jr.-Madison, Wis.) added 11 points, seven rebounds and a career-best six assists.

The Muskies shot 55.2% from the floor, making 37 of 67 field goals. Lakeland also racked up a season-high 15 steals while forcing the Regents into 20 turnovers.

Rockford shot 48.4% (31 of 64) and outrebounded the Muskies 37-29. Michael Murray also added 23 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.

Lakeland is home for its next game Wednesday night when it welcomes Marian University to the Moose & Dona Woltzen Gymnasium for a 7 p.m. tip.