LISLE, Ill. – Lakeland University staged another gallant comeback attempt but an early deficit proved too much to overcome in a 56-48 loss to Benedictine University Saturday afternoon in Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference women's basketball play.

The Muskies cut an early 17-point deficit down to one by late in the third quarter but were unable to get over the hump in dropping to 0-6 overall and 0-2 in conference. Lakeland lost by single digits for the fourth time this season and fell this time on the road over Thanksgiving weekend against an Eagles team picked to finish second in the NACC preseason poll.

The Muskies got off to an icy start to the game, going scoreless for nearly eight minutes to start the game and scoring just two points in the first 13 minutes, 56 seconds. Benedictine (4-1 overall, 2-0 NACC) scored the game's first 10 points and pushed the lead to 19-2 in the second quarter before two free throws by Rachel Hasko (Sr.-Racine, Wis.).

The Eagles pushed the lead back to 17 on two more occasions, but Lakeland crept back to within 27-15 at the halftime break before putting on a big push in the third quarter. The Muskies went on a 10-0 run capped by a three-pointer by Janai' Farr (Jr.-Racine, Wis.) to get within 32-29, and trimmed the deficit to one after a steal by Farr and a fast break basket by Amanda Majewski (Sr.-Peshtigo, Wis.) made it 37-36 with 1:03 left in the third quarter.

Lakeland's comeback ran out of steam, though, when Benedictine responded with a 10-0 run in a span of just 1:26. The Eagles made four straight shots, including a pair of three-pointers by Brianna Lake, and her second triple made it 47-36 with 9:20 left in the game. The Muskies never got closer than seven points again until Hasko hit a three-pointer making it 54-48 with 17 seconds left.

Megan Will (Jr.-Lake Mills, Wis.) scored 16 points and added 10 rebounds, Farr scored nine points including three three-pointers off the bench and Hasko added eight points. The Muskies shot 26.9%, making 18 of 67 shots, but finished with 13 more shot attempts than Benedictine with 15 offensive rebounds plus 21 turnovers forced.

Allison Michalski scored 20 points and added 13 rebounds and four blocked shots to lead Benedictine, which shot 40.7% (22 of 54) and also registered 13 blocked shots. Claire Gibler also scored 15 points and Alex Fanning added five points, 12 rebounds and five blocks.

Lakeland is on the road again Tuesday when it travels to face Concordia University Wisconsin at 7 p.m. in Mequon.