MILWAUKEE – Lakeland University shot 53.2% from the field for the game but Wisconsin Lutheran College went on another scoring binge to roar back from an early 11-point defict and defeat the Muskies 104-91 Saturday night at WLC's Recreation Complex.

The Warriors won the second straight high-scoring game between the teams to sweep their two-game Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference North Division series. Wisconsin Lutheran strengthened its grip on the top spot in the division, moving to 5-0 overall and in the division, while Lakeland dropped to 4-4 overall and 3-3 in division play.

The Muskies made 33 of 62 shots for the game, including a sizzling 62.1% (18 of 29) in the first half including 8 of 13 from three-point range. Lakeland also received 43 points from its bench, including Earl Lewis (Jr.-Madison, Wis.) scoring a season-high 21 points after making 7 of 11 shots, including 4 of 6 from long range.

The Warriors quite didn't match the Muskies' shooting, hitting 47.5% of their shots (38 of 80), but were once again dominant on the glass and in making Lakeland pay for turnovers. WLC won the rebounding battle 44-32, including 18 offensive rebounds, and finished with a big 28-5 advantage in second chance points. Lutheran also finished with a 25-6 margin in points off turnovers, taking advantage of the Muskies' 14 turnovers.

The hosts also authored a big scoring run for the second straight night, scoring 41 points over the final 10 minutes, 20 seconds of the first half. Lakeland actually appeared to be in good shape early and held a 28-17 lead after a three-pointer by Tylan Huff (So.-Milwaukee, Wis.) when Wisconsin Lutheran heated up, outscoring the Muskies 41-22 the rest of the half for a 58-50 halftime lead.

Lakeland got back as close as three after a fast break layup by Cam Jaeger (Fr.-Oostburg, Wis.) made the score 60-57, but Wisconsin Lutheran started to pull away from there. Seven quick points pushed the Warriors' lead to 67-57, and another 8-0 spurt with all eight points scored by Alex VanCrete gave WLC a 77-63 lead with 13:06 to play.

Lewis hit a three-pointer to draw the Muskies back within nine at 77-68 with 12:12 to play, but the Warriors outscored Lakeland 14-4 over the next 5 1/2 minutes for a 91-72 lead, and Lutheran would lead by as many as 20 points late.

Lewis was one of five Muskies to score in double figures. Trenton Nickel (Sr.-Kiel, Wis.) also scored 18 points, Jaeger and Jequan Pegeese (Sr.-Beloit, Wis.) also scored 14 apiece and Huff added 11 off the bench. Pegeese also
chipped in a career-high 10 assists for his first career double-double.

VanCrete scored a game-high 28 points for Wisconsin Lutheran, hitting 9 of 11 from the field and all nine of his free throws. Drew Bernhagen also scored 22 points and Jacob Stoltz added 19, while Zach Zuleger added eight points plus 13 rebounds, seven on the offensive end. WLC also finished with a 58-34 bulge in points in the paint and made 20 of 21 free throw attempts (95.2%).

The Muskies return to play Tuesday when they host Finlandia (Mich.) University for a non-conference game at 7 p.m.