FOND DU LAC – A persistent comeback by the Lakeland University men's basketball team was turned back as Marian University topped the Muskies 84-74 Wednesday night in a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference game.

The Muskies rallied from an 11-point deficit to tie the game midway through the second half, but a 17-2 spurt by the Sabres stymied the rally and was too much to overcome. With the loss, Lakeland dropped to 3-7 overall and 2-5 in NACC play.

The Muskies shot a respectable 46.6% for the game, making 27 of 58 field goal tries. Brandon James (Jr.-Rockford, Ill.) led all scorers with 28 points, his third straight game of at least 22 points.

Marian (3-9 overall, 2-5 NACC) was even better, though, shooting 50% (31 of 62). More importantly, the hosts played from ahead almost the entire game, taking the lead in the game's first two minutes and never trailing again.

The Sabres built an 11-point lead late in the first half at 34-23 and still led 39-33 at the half after Ben Stasewich (So.-Munising, Mich.) hit two free throws in the final seconds of the half. The Sabres then answered after Jacob Servais (Sr.-Coon Valley, Wis.) split two free throws to tie the game at 55-55 with 11:20 left in the second half, scoring 17 of the game's next 19 points over a span of 5 1/2 minutes, including three three-pointers. Lakeland was never closer than nine points the rest of the way.

James hit 10 of 20 field goals and also added five rebounds. Pat McDonald (So.-Port Washington, Wis.) also scored 14 points and Eric Nygaard (Jr.-Plymouth, Wis.) added 11 points. The Muskies were playing just their second road game of the season.

Alex Manhardt scored 23 points and added 10 rebounds to lead Marian. Kelvin Jones also added 18 points.

Lakeland is back home Saturday when it hosts Dominican (Ill.) University at 4:15 p.m. at the Woltzen Gymnasium.