Joshuan McNeal (Jr.-Chicago, Ill.) and Eric Nygaard (Jr.-Plymouth, Wis.) both notched double-doubles and Lakeland University turned the tables on Marian University with a late run to go on to a 73-67 win Wednesday night at the Moose & Dona Woltzen Gymnasium.

The Muskies won consecutive games for the first time this season and gained a split of the season series with their Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference rival from just down Highway 23. Lakeland improved to 6-9 overall and is now 4-7 in the NACC, the same league mark as the Sabres.

The Muskies lost to Marian just two weeks earlier in Fond du Lac in a game where the Sabres went on a 17-2 run to break open a tie game late. This time it was Lakeland making a move late, outscoring the guests 17-4 in the late going to take the lead for good.

Nygaard hit a three-pointer to start the spurt, tying the game at 55-55 with 7:26 left. Deonte Carlton (Fr.-Green Bay, Wis.) followed with layups on consecutive possessions, with his first one giving the Muskies the lead for good. By the time Pat McDonald (So.-Port Washington, Wis.) scored two straight hoops with less than three minutes left, Lakeland held a 69-59 lead that would prove insurmountable.

The Muskies came through in a game that included eight ties and 11 lead changes. The game was tight throughout, as neither team led by more than five points until Lakeland went on its game-clinching run.

McNeal finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds and Nygaard added 11 points and 10 rebounds as the Muskies were able to outrebound the taller Sabres 44-40. Jacob Servais (Sr.-Coon Valley, Wis.) also added nine points and five rebounds off the bench, including seven points in the first half as Lakeland held a slim 32-29 halftime lead.

Brandon James (Jr.-Rockford, Ill.) led Lakeland in scoring with 15 points while McDonald also added 13. Both teams shot 29 of 69 from the field (42.0%) in a game where few fouls were whistled, but the Muskies did capitalize on their few opportunities at the foul line, making 12 of 14 free throws.

Lakeland is back on the road Saturday when it travels to face Concordia University Chicago at 4:15 p.m. in River Forest.