Josh Creed scored 32 points and received support from teammates in overtime as Marian University defeated the Lakeland College men's basketball team 87-81 Wednesday night in a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference game.

Alex Stecker and Carvell Oliver combined for 11 of the Sabres' 17 points in overtime as the visitors never trailed in the extra period. Marian foiled Lakeland's second-half comeback and snapped the Muskies' five-game winning streak.

Creed out-dueled Lakeland's Brandon James (So.-Rockford, Ill.) in a pair of outstanding individual performances. The NACC scoring leader entering the game, Creed made 9 of 18 from the field and 12 of 13 from the free throw line while also adding six rebounds and five assists.

James nearly matched Creed shot for shot, also hitting 9 of 18 from the floor plus 7 of 7 free throw attempts. James added seven rebounds, while teammate Brandon Hagenow (Sr.-Sussex, Wis.) also scored a season-high 19 points off the bench.

Lakeland trailed the entire second half and for most of the game after a good start dissipated quickly. The Muskies jumped out to a 14-2 lead in the game's first four minutes, but the Sabres chipped away and took a 33-28 lead into halftime.

Marian continued to lead and took a nine-point lead midway through the second half before Lakeland roared back to close within one at 54-53 after a three-pointer by James. The Sabres built the lead back up to nine again, but the Muskies chipped away and finally tied the game on a layup by Travis Kell (Jr.-Madison, Wis.) with 53 seconds to play.

Both teams had a final chance to take the lead in regulation, but Marian's Reggie Roemer missed a three-pointer and James was unable to get a driving layup to go. Creed's halfcourt shot at the buzzer just missed, going off the back of the rim.

The Sabres never trailed in overtime. Oliver made one of two free throws and then Stecker followed with a layup and two foul shots to make it 75-70. The Muskies never got closer than three the rest of the way.

Joshuan McNeal (So.-Chicago, Ill.) added 10 points for Lakeland, which shot 40.6% (28 of 69) and was outrebounded 47-40. The Muskies also were a quiet 4 of 19 from three-point range (21.1%).

Roemer scored 14 points for Marian, which overcame 38.6% shooting (27 of 70) by making 9 of 23 from three-point range (39.1%) plus 24 of 28 free throws (85.7%). Both teams were excellent at the stripe, as Lakeland 21 of 24 foul shots (87.5%).

The Muskies go back on the road Saturday to face Dominican (Ill.) University at 2 p.m. in River Forest, Ill.