MILWAUKEE, Wis. – The Lakeland University men's basketball team cooled off in the second half after a strong start and Wisconsin Lutheran College rallied to defeat the Muskies 87-71 Tuesday night in Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play.

Lakeland led for a good portion of the game's first 28 minutes but the Warriors finished the game on a 34-13 run. The Muskies (9-8 overall, 3-7 NACC) lost their third straight game and for the fifth time in six games this month while WLC moved into the top spot in the NACC at 9-2 (12-6 overall).

Lakeland shot an efficient 63.0% in the first half and finished the half outscoring Lutheran 13-2 over the final 3 1/2 minutes to take a 45-38 into halftime. The Muskies then scored the first four points of the second half to take their largest lead of the game at 49-38.

Lakeland had made 19 of 29 shots in the game at that point, but would struggle the rest of the way, making just 6 of its final 26 shots. The Muskies shot 28.6% in the second half, yet still held a 58-53 lead with just over 13 minutes left after two free throws by Asanjai Hunter (Fr.-Racine, Wis.).

The game would turn soon after, with Wisconsin Lutheran outscoring Lakeland 18-2 over the next four minutes. Trevor Stiede hit three consecutive three-pointers, including a three to tie and another to give WLC the lead at 61-58 with 11:48 to play. A jumper by Grayson Goetz put the Warriors ahead 71-60 with 8:41 remaining.

The Muskies would battle back to within 75-69 after Aiden Polzin (So.-Clintonville, Wis.) hit a three-pointer with 5:20 left, but would score just two points the rest of the way. Goetz hit a three-pointer to make it 80-69 with 3:40 left and Lakeland got no closer than nine again.

Isaiah Hammond (So.-Milwaukee, Wis.) finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds, including 14 points and eight boards in a first half that featured six lead changes and five ties. Polzin also scored 15 points and added five rebounds and Kai Buliox (So.-Milwaukee, Wis.) scored nine points.

Ryan Broeckel led Wisconsin Lutheran with 20 points and 10 rebounds and was one of five to score in double figures for the Warriors. Goetz and Simeon Strauss both scored 18, Stiede tallied 14 all in the second half and Jacob Stoltz also chipped in 10 points plus seven assists.

Lakeland finished outshooting WLC, making 25 of 55 shots (45.5%) to the Warriors' 30 of 70 (42.9%). The Muskies committed 15 turnovers, though, and the hosts finished with a 20-3 advantage in points off turnovers.

Lakeland is back home Saturday to host Illinois Institute of Technology at 2 p.m. at the Moose & Dona Woltzen Gymnasium.