PLYMOUTH, Wis. – Kacey Gardner (Sr.-Evergreen Park, Ill.) broke the Lakeland University women's basketball record for career assists and the Muskies hold off Milwaukee School of Engineering for a 68-60 win Wednesday night at the Moose & Dona Woltzen Gymnasium.

Lakeland saw a 16-point second half lead dwindle to five points late but found its footing in time to take the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference win. The Muskies evened their overall record back at 8-8 and are 6-3 in the NACC halfway through the conference schedule.

The Muskies had a solid night shooting, making 46.4% of their shots (26 of 56) including one of the team's best nights of the season from three-point range. Lakeland hit 9 of 20 from long distance (45.0%), its second-best mark of the campaign and just the third time the team has hit more than four triples in a game this year, and the three-pointers helped the Muskies build a lead early and secure the lead late.

Lakeland also shook off hot shooting by the Raiders (3-13 overall, 2-7 NACC) out of the gates to take control with a 14-0 run to end the first quarter. The Muskies would hold a double-digit lead most of the rest of the way and appeared ready to run away several times, but a persistent MSOE team hung around and gave Lakeland some nervous moments in the final minutes.

Lakeland opened hitting its first four threes in a 24-point first quarter, offsetting a quick start in which the Raiders hit five of their first eight shots in taking an early 14-10 lead. Lauren Downs (Sr.-West Bend, Wis.) hit a pair of triples as the Muskies scored 14 straight points in less than three minutes and took a 24-14 lead after one period.

Lakeland led by as much as 14 in the second quarter, which also included Gardner getting her second assist of the game on a layup by Ellie Felsinger (Sr.-Cedar Grove, Wis.) just over two minutes into the period. The helper gave Gardner 341 career assists, breaking the previous school mark of 340 set by current assistant coach Kayla Clark (2013-17).

The Muskies led 43-27 early in the third quarter after two free throws by Kerstin Sauerbrei (Jr.-Ripon, Wis.) and fought off one Raiders run to go back ahead by 15 at 54-39 late in the quarter. Lakeland still led by 13 at 61-48 with 6:40 left after a three-pointer by Sauerbrei, but MSOE would chip away while the Muskies offense hit a rocky patch.

The Raiders closed within 61-56 with 3:44 left following a layup by Raekyiah Williams, but Alexa Yost (Jr.-Menasha, Wis.) drove for a layup and was fouled to briefly slow the MSOE run. Yost missed the free throw, and the Raiders got within five again when Wendy Guan made two free throws with 2:32 left.

A key offensive rebound by Brianna Jones (Sr.-Indianapolis, Ind.) extended possession after a missed shot, and Mackenzie Miller (Fr.-Schoolcraft, Mich.) made two free throws but give Lakeland a 65-58 lead. The Muskies got a stop next time down, and Sauerbrei delivered a dagger with a three-pointer with 1:08 left for a 10-point lead to finally put away the Raiders.

Sauerbrei scored a season-high 16 points, making 4 of 8 from three-point range and all four of her free throw attempts. Miller finished with 12 points, making all five of her field goal tries. Gardner also added 10 points plus five assists and three steals, giving her 344 career assists, and Downs finished with nine points.

MSOE finished the game shooting 51.0% (25 of 49), including 57.7% (15 of 26) in the second half. Nina Perl scored 20 points, making 8 of 10 shots, and Mahima Chokshi added 11 points and eight rebounds.

The Muskies next travel to Madison to face Edgewood College for a 4:15 p.m. tip Saturday.