The Lakeland University men's basketball team unveiled a new season with a long-distance shooting show, draining 16 three-pointers in an 84-65 win over Finlandia (Mich.) University Wednesday night at the Moose & Dona Woltzen Gymnasium.

The Muskies tied for their biggest three-point shooting game since knocking down 18 triples against Wisconsin Lutheran College back in 2008, on this night connecting from distance early and often to win the head coaching debut for Sam Schroeder.

Lakeland hit 11 three-pointers in the first half alone and made 16 of 34 from long range for the game, performing dramatically better from behind the arc than in two-point range. The Muskies shot 47.1% from three and 35.6% from inside the line, but the combination was more than enough to stay in charge throughout against the Lions.

Lakeland built an 11-point lead just over five minutes into the game, with Carlos Campos (So.-Janesville, Wis.) scoring eight points as part of an early 17-6 lead. Finlandia cut into the lead a couple times, but the Muskies then finished the half on a 22-7 run, capped by freshman Zach Hasenstein (Sheboygan, Wis.) hitting a three-pointer in transition for a 45-28 lead at the break. Lakeland made 11 of 22 from distance in the first 20 minutes.

The Lions made one more push to cut the deficit to seven early in the second half when Brandon Robinette scored to make it 49-42 with 13:46 left, but the Muskies answered with another spurt, outscoring the guests 18-5 over the next 4 1/2 minutes with Trenton Nickel (Fr.-Kiel, Wis.) hitting a three to make it 67-47 with 9:04 left. Finlandia never cut the deficit below 18 the rest of the way.

Shakur Jinad (So.-Chicago, Ill.) and Pat McDonald (Jr.-Port Washington, Wis.) both scored 16 points each to lead Lakeland, and Jinad added 10 rebounds in his Muskies debut. Eric Nygaard (Jr.-Plymouth, Wis.) added 12 points, including four three-pointers, and was one of seven players to hit three-pointers.

Hasenstein also added 11 points, and Lakeland also got 20 points from its bench, with Nickel and Jequan Pegeese (Fr.-Beloit, Wis.) scoring eight points each. The Muskies shot 40.5% for the game, including 17 of 37 (45.9%) in the first half before cooling to 15 of 42 (35.7%) in the second half.

Finlandia shot 41.1% (23 of 56) and won the rebounding battle 45-41, but the Lions were hurt badly by 23 turnovers to just nine for Lakeland, and the Muskies finished with a huge 32-5 advantage in points off turnovers. Robinette led the Lions with 19 points and also added a game-high 13 rebounds.

Lakeland plays again Friday, when it faces the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in an exhibition game Friday night at 7 p.m. at the Resch Center in Green Bay. The Muskies also are back home Sunday when they welcome Martin Luther (Minn.) College for a 3 p.m. tip at the Woltzen Gymnasium.