RIVER FOREST, Ill. – Megan Will (Sr.-Lake Mills, Wis.) posted a big double-double with 24 points and 12 rebounds and the Lakeland University women's basketball team defeated Concordia University Chicago 66-54 Saturday afternoon at Geiseman Gymnasium.

The Muskies defeated their Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference foe in a non-conference game, with the two teams playing in different divisions for the shortened 2020-21 season. Lakeland is competing in the NACC North Division this season while Concordia Chicago plays in the NACC South for this year.

Will made 9 of 12 shots from the field and 6 of 7 from the free throw line in her third straight strong performance to start the season. She scored 15 points in the first half as the Muskies (2-1 overall) took control early and fought off the stubborn Cougars the rest of the way.

Lakeland scored 10 straight points over the final 3 minutes, 31 seconds of the first quarter to take an 18-12 lead after one period. The Muskies would never trail again, took a 35-28 lead at halftime and the lead never fell below seven in the second half.

Lakeland led by as many 15 late in the third quarter when Hayley Walding (Jr.-Bradenton, Fla.) drilled a three-pointer for a 54-39 lead. More frequently, the Muskies' margin alternated between eight and 12 points, with the teams often trading baskets but the hosts hanging around.

Concordia Chicago (0-3 overall) did make a run in the fourth quarter, as Lakeland made just one field goal in the final 10 minutes. The Cougars drew within 59-51 on a layup by Mikalah Ellis with 3:24 to play. CUC missed its next four shots, though, and made just one field goal the rest of the way, while Will made four straight free throws to push the lead back out to 12. The Cougars never got closer than nine points the rest of the way, and Lakeland hit 10 of 15 free throws in the final quarter.

Janai' Farr (Sr.-Racine, Wis.) and Alexa Yost (Fr.-Menasha, Wis.) joined Will scoring in double figures with 12 and 10 points, respectively. Farr made four three-pointers and also added a career-high seven assists, while Yost scored a collegiate-best 10 points off the bench and also added three assists.

Kacey Gardner (Jr.-Evergreen Park, Ill.) also added four points as well as 11 rebounds plus four assists.  Walding also scored seven points, and as a team Lakeland shot 46.9%, making 23 of 49 field goals.

Bailey Steinkamp scored 14 points to lead Concordia Chicago, which shot 34.4% (22 of 64), including 5 of 26 from three-point range. Tara Hastings added 12 points and 11 rebounds.

The Muskies are in action next for a two-game series with Alverno College next weekend Friday and Saturday, Feb. 5-6 in Milwaukee.