The series between the Muskies and Stars has largely belonged to Lakeland, including last year's 76-41 victory a year ago this weekend in River Forest, Ill. The Muskies outscored Dominican 46-17 in the second half to turn a close game into a rout and avenged the Stars' win in the previous game in the series, a 78-50 Dominican win Jan. 18, 2020 at Lakeland. That win snapped the Muskies' 11-game winning streak in the series from 2013-19. The schools first met Nov. 23, 1983, with Lakeland rolling to a 70-34 win at Dominican.

Lakeland last time out: Lost to St. Norbert 62-46 Wednesday
The Muskies lost their first Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference contest of the season, as a frigid second quarter stretch proved too much to overcome. Lakeland led by six in the first quarter and had a one-point lead early in the second before going more than nine minutes without a point. The Green Knights would go on to build a 17-point in the third quarter before the Muskies warmed up in the fourth quarter. Lakeland cut the deficit to nine with more than 6 1/2 minutes left but St. Norbert hit several big shots down the stretch to close it out. Kacey Gardner scored 12 points and added eight rebounds and Mackenzie Miller scored 10 points off the bench, but the Muskies finished shooting 31.7%.

Dominican last time out: Lost to Benedictine 68-53 Wednesday
The Stars were defeated by the Eagles in their NACC opener earlier this week at home in Illinois. Benedictine never trailed in the game, scoring 41 points in the first half on the way to a 41-26 halftime lead. Dominican played the Eagles even in the second half  but shot 31.7% for the game. Freshman Toni Hayes posted season highs of 20 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Stars and Kameron Goodman added nine points and eight rebounds.

About the Stars: Dominican is winless on the season at 0-6, a mark that like Lakeland's record also included a string of four straight road games. The Stars lost their first three games by an average of 30 points per game but have been closer in their last three contests decided by an average of just over 15 ppg. Dominican finished 6-18 overall last year and posted a 5-12 mark in the NACC, and the Stars were picked to finish 12th in this year's preseason poll of league coaches and sports information directors.

Climbing the lists: Gardner entered the season high up Lakeland's all-time career assists and steals leaders, and the fifth-year senior continues to move up both. With 321 career assists she is up to third on Lakeland's career list, 19 short of tying all-time leader and current Muskies assistant coach Kayla Clark's 340 assists. Gardner also has moved into a tie for third on the all-time steals list, with 207 now steals tying Becca Tilleman (2008-12) on the list.