WAUKESHA, Wis. – The Lakeland University men's basketball team got off to a good shooting start but Carroll University asserted control late in the first half and went on to defeat the Muskies 87-66 Wednesday night in a non-conference game.

The Pioneers went on a 18-3 run before halftime and cruised the rest of the way in improving to 8-4 overall. Lakeland lost its third straight game, coming up empty in a difficult stretch of three games over the past five days and dropping to 4-7 overall.

The Muskies made their first three shots of the game and eight of their first 14 shots overall. The teams were close for the first 15 minutes with five ties and three lead changes, tied at 23-23 after two free throws by Isaiah Hammond (Jr.-Milwaukee, Wis.) and still a two-point game with Carroll leading 29-27 with 5 minutes, 25 seconds left in the first half after a jumper by Hammond.

The Pioneers followed with consecutive three-pointers by Justin Steinike and Kobe Simpson and then a steal and layup by Eckahelo Simpson to take a 37-27 lead. Carroll would continue to build the lead, with another Simpson layup pushing the lead to 17 before Asanjai Hunter (So.-Racine, Wis.) converted a three-point play with four seconds left in the half to cut the Pioneers' margin to 47-33 at the break.

Lakeland would get no closer than 10 points in the second half on two occasions. Brayden Kennedy (Fr.-Manitowoc, Wis.) hit a three-pointer to draw the Muskies within 56-46 with 14:46 left in the game, but Carroll responded with seven straight points. Lakeland hung around and closed within 10 again when Cam Jaeger (Jr.-Oostburg, Wis.) converted a three-point play to clip the Pioneers' lead to 71-61 with 6:28 left, but Carroll put the game away with a 15-2 run over the next four minutes.

Hammond scored 17 points to lead Lakeland, converted 6 of 11 from the field and all four of his free throws. Jaeger scored 13 points and added six rebounds and Hunter and Kennedy both scored 10 points each. Tim Ward (So.-Plainfield, Ill.) also added eight points and six rebounds in his first start for the Muskies, who shot 39.1%, making 25 of 64 field goals.

Jacob Naber scored 19 points and Steinike added 18 points to lead Carroll, which shot 51.6%, making 32 of 62 shots from the field including 10 of 20 from three-point range. The Pioneers also posted a 43-32 rebounding advantage.

Lakeland returns to play after Christmas when it hosts Benedictine University next Thursday, Dec. 28 at 5 p.m. at the Moose & Dona Woltzen Gymnasium.