The Lakeland University men's basketball team assumed a tough assignment for its Senior Day and was defeated by nationally ranked Benedictine (Ill.) University 85-65 Saturday afternoon at the Moose & Dona Woltzen Gymnasium.

The Muskies lost to the Northern Athletics Collegiate leaders and a team ranked 19th in the latest NCAA Division III D3hoops.com top 25 poll. The Eagles displayed why they have one of the most efficient offenses in Division III, building a 28-point lead by midway through the second half and cruising to the win to remain atop the NACC.

Benedictine (15-4 overall, 13-1 NACC) shot 53.3% in the first half in building a 47-22 lead and spent a chunk of the game at over 60% marksmanship before cooling off some late. The Eagles' senior guards Michael Blaszczyk and Tahron Harvey did much of the damage, combining for 52 points and making 17 of 24 shots from the field, including Blaszczyk draining 6 of 8 from three-point range.

The Muskies (7-11 overall, 5-9 NACC) were unable to keep up, shooting just 28.1% in the first half. Lakeland did warm up in the second half, hitting 15 of 29 shots (51.7%) to finish the game shooting 39.3% (24 of 61).

Brandon James (Jr.-Rockford, Ill.) scored 14 points to lead the Muskies but was held to 4 of 14 shooting. Pat McDonald (So.-Port Washington, Wis.) scored 10 points and added a team-high five assists, while Mitchell School (Sr.-Wittenberg, Wis.) came off the bench and scored seven points.

Lakeland's three seniors on this year's team were honored before the game, including School, Mark Gryszkiewicz (Sussex, Wis.) and Jacob Servais (Coon Valley, Wis.).

The Muskies are home again Tuesday when they welcome Edgewood College for a 7 p.m. tip at the Woltzen Gymnasium.