The Muskies and Spartans play for the first of two meetings this season, with Aurora one of just three schools Lakeland will play twice in Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play this year after women's basketball schedules were reduced to 16 league games this year. The teams met twice last year and Aurora won both games, first with a 71-61 victory at home in Illinois Dec. 10, 2022 and then adding a 73-56 victory at Lakeland Jan. 14 of this year. The Spartans have won three straight in the series, with the Muskies' last win a 60-57 victory at home Dec. 11, 2021. The series between the schools dates back to Dec. 3, 1982, when the Spartans won the first matchup 64-62 at the Muskies' Wehr Center Fieldhouse.

Lakeland last time out: Lost at UW-Superior 72-57 Tuesday
The Muskies lost their third straight game as the Yellowjackets went on a 12-0 run late to take control of what was a one-point game with just over five minutes left. Lakeland came back from eight points down late in the third quarter to take the lead early in the fourth, but struggled late for the second straight game and went scoreless for more than four minutes down the stretch. Kerstin Sauerbrei scored 13 points, and her four three-pointers in the game gave her 131 for her Lakeland career, with the fourth three propelling her past Kayla Clark (2013-17) into third on the school's all-time career three-point field goals made list.

Aurora last time out: Defeated Carthage 83-75 Nov. 21
The Spartans have been idle for 11 days but in their last game stayed undefeated with a late rally at home. Aurora finished the game on an 11-0 run over the final 2:10, taking the lead on two free throws by Gabrielle Wolff with 50 seconds left. The Spartans scored their final nine points on free throws to win a close game throughout that included 11 ties and 11 lead changes. Wolff scored 22 points and Selena Vargas added 16 points and 15 rebounds plus four blocks as Aurora shot 53.7% from the field in defeating the Firebirds of the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin.

About the Spartans: Aurora is the only undefeated team left in the NACC and was one of the top teams in the conference last year, finishing 21-5 overall and 15-3 to tie for second in conference play. The Spartans were knocked off by sixth-seeded Edgewood in the NACC tourney first round, though, but returned three starters and three of their top four scorers from a year ago. Aurora opened its season winning the Viking Invitational hosted by Augustana (Ill.) College.