Isaac Anderson (Sr.-Linden, Wis.) scored a career-high 19 points but Rockford University made the plays down the stretch to edge Lakeland University 87-85 Tuesday night in Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play at the Moose & Dona Woltzen Gymnasium.

The Regents made the final run in an evenly matched contest throughout, taking the lead on a three-pointer by Randy Stegenga with 3 minutes, 53 second left in the game and holding it the rest of the way. Rockford held Lakeland to one field goal in a span of 4:22 late and won the battle for position in the NACC standings, improving to 5-2 in league while the Muskies fell to 4-3.

Stegenga's three was the final lead change in a game that included 13 lead changes, nine ties and runs by both teams.  It remained a one-possession game until the final seconds, though, until the Regents (7-5 overall) delivered a pair of daggers.

With the shot clock winding down in the final minute, Ashton Singleton got to the basket and scored with 14 seconds left to give Rockford an 85-80 lead. After two free throws by Carlos Campos (Sr.-Janesville, Wis.) with 10 seconds remaining, Singleton then iced it with two foul shots with six seconds left before Tylan Huff (Fr.-Milwaukee, Wis.) hit a three-pointer at the buzzer for the final margin.

Both teams made runs before the game settled into a back-and-forth duel with the teams generally separated by no more than a basket over the final 12 minutes.

The Muskies (6-6 overall) scored 12 straight points in the first half to take a 30-23 lead after a layup on the fast break by Campos with 7:12 left in the half. Lakeland would extend the lead to 11 points on three occasions in the opening 20 minutes, the final time on a three by Campos making it 49-38 with 1:11 left before halftime.

Rockford finished the half strong, though, making eight straight free throws to close within 49-46 at the break, and the Regents' run continued to start the second half. Eight more consecutive points pushed the run to 16-0 and the lead to 55-49, but Lakeland rallied soon after to set up a close game down the stretch.

The Muskies shot 54.8% in the first half, making 17 of 31 shots including 8 of 17 from long range. Lakeland cooled off in the second half, though, making 13 of 33 from the field (39.4%) and 6 of 18 from behind the arc (33.3%), finishing the game shooting 46.9% (30 of 64) and 14 of 35 on threes (40%).

Anderson made 6 of 7 shots from the field and all six of his free throws in besting his previous career high of 12 points set early last season. Zach Hasenstein (Jr.-Sheboygan, Wis.) added 16 points, Campos scored 15 and Huff chipped in 12 off the bench plus two blocked shots, hitting 4 of 8 from long distance.

Brandon Emerick scored 22 points and added seven rebounds and six steals to lead Rockford, which shot 46.8% (29 of 62) and converted 21 of 24 from the free throw line (87.5%). Stegenga scored 17, Singleton added 14 and Nathaniel Shead also put in 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

Lakeland next hits the road to take on Illinois Institute of Technology Saturday afternoon in Chicago at 2 p.m. The Muskies will try to complete the season sweep of the Scarlet Hawks after defeating them 73-67 at home Dec. 14, 2019.