Lakeland University shot 55.6% in the second half and took control in the final ten minutes to defeat Aurora University 101-95 in a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference men's basketball game Saturday afternoon.

The Muskies shot their way past the Spartans after trailing much of the way and solidified their hold on a spot in the top half of the NACC standings. Lakeland improved to 9-10 overall and is 7-7 in conference, tied for fifth place with six games left in the regular season.

The Muskies trailed 44-40 at halftime and were down 60-55 with just under 13 minutes left in the game when they made their move, outscoring Aurora 24-9 over the next five minutes. Zach Hasenstein (Jr.-Sheboygan, Wis.) hit a pull-up jumper in the lane with 8 minutes, 10 seconds left in the game to give Lakeland a 78-69 lead.

The Muskies eventually pushed their lead to as much as 11 and still led 97-88 after Isaac Anderson (Sr.-Linden, Wis.) made two free throws with 1:18 to play, but the Spartans (6-13 overall, 5-9 NACC) forced two turnovers in the final minute and scored seven straight points to get within 97-95 with 32 seconds left. Aurora fouled Trenton Nickel (Jr.-Kiel, Wis.) soon after, and Nickel made the front end of a one-and-one, then rebounded the second shot between four Aurora players, giving Lakeland another possession.

Nickel scored a career-high 23 points, making 9 of 12 shots from the field including 4 of 6 from three-point range. He also was one of four Muskies who played all 20 minutes in the second half, when Lakeland shot 20 of 36 from the field, including 10 of 18 from three-point range.

Anderson also scored a career-high 22 points, making 7 of 11 from the floor and 7 of 7 from the foul line. He also added seven rebounds and four assists. Hasenstein also scored 18 points and added nine rebounds, Carlos Campos (Sr.-Janesville, Wis.) scored 16 points and Jequan Pegeese (Jr.-Beloit, Wis.) added 13 points plus seven assists.

Lakeland shot 48.6% for the game, making 36 of 74 shots, including 12 of 33 from long range (36.4%). The Muskies also hit 17 of 20 free throws and outrebounded Aurora 39-38.

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The Muskies are back on the road Tuesday when they travel to take on Concordia University Chicago at 7 p.m. in River Forest, Ill.