The series between Lakeland and Lawrence has roots back to the 1970s and both schools' early seasons playing women's basketball. The Muskies have won the last six matchups, and with the teams not playing often for a long stretch until this fifth meeting in the last seven years, Lakeland has not lost to Lawrence in 30 years. The Muskies won last year's game on the road in Appleton 60-49 a year ago this weekend, and also edged the Vikings 55-51 two years ago this weekend in the teams' last matchup at the Moose & Dona Woltzen Gymnasium. Lawrence's last win over Lakeland came Jan. 7, 1993, a 58-55 win at home.

Lakeland last time out: Lost to UW-Stevens Point 57-48 Tuesday
The Muskies fell to the Pointers but left a good final impression, making a strong run in the fourth quarter. UWSP led by as many as 23 points late in the third quarter, but Lakeland kept battling and owned the final period, making 8 of 14 shots while holding Stevens Point to just one field goal over the final 10 minutes. The Muskies outscored the Pointers 20-7 in the final quarter and closed to within seven points in the final minute, and may have gotten even closer if not struggling at the free throw line, making just 9 of 20 from the stripe in the second half. Alexis Johnson finished with 12 points and A.T. Bartlett added 11 points as Lakeland shot 30%, making 15 of 50 shots while holding UWSP to 31.3% from the field.

Lawrence last time out: Defeated UW-Superior 63-45 Nov. 17
The Vikings have been idle since last Friday, when they rolled to a comfortable win over the Yellowjackets at home in Appleton. Lawrence held UW-Superior to 28.1% shooting and used a big second quarter to pull away, including a 17-1 run in the period on the way to a 37-20 halftime lead. Maggie Culver scored 13 points and added eight rebounds, Mallory Meyer also scored 13 points and Charlotte Brennan also added 11 points, four rebounds and four assists.

About the Vikings: Lawrence is off to a good start to the season, having won three of its first four games for its best four-game start since opening the 2005-06 season with nine consecutive wins. In addition to topping UW-Superior, the Vikings also have defeated North Park (Ill.) 65-57 and Lakeland's Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference rival Rockford (66-45). Lawrence has shown improvement after finishing 7-18 overall last year and posting a 3-12 mark in the Midwest Conference. The Vikings returned four starters from last year's team and have a still-young team with just two seniors, including just one (Libby Crandall) in the rotation early in the season.

Finding firepower: On a young team looking for consistent scorers A.T. Bartlett and Alexis Johnson have emerged the last couple games to provide scoring for the Muskies. Both have scored in double figures the last two contests, with Bartlett scoring 14 against Beloit and 11 against UW-Stevens Point. Johnson then took team scoring honors against the Pointers on Tuesday with 12 points, following up her 13 points against Beloit Nov. 16.