PLYMOUTH, Wis. – The Lakeland University men's basketball team shot 55.7% and led from start to finish to get back on the winning track with a 97-85 victory over Benedictine University Thursday at the Moose & Dona Woltzen Gymnasium.

The Muskies returned to Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play and rebounded from a three-game losing streak before Christmas to improve to 5-7 overall. Lakeland also is 3-2 in conference after also brining the Eagles back to the pack at 6-5 overall and 3-2 in the NACC.

The Muskies defeated Benedictine at home for the second time in 2023 and in similar fashion to a 99-88 win at the Woltzen Gym back in February. Lakeland shot 61.3% in the second half of that game, which also included a combined 49 fouls and 68 free throws.

The teams were involved in another foul-filled game Thursday, combining for 48 fouls and 71 free throws, but the Muskies scored with regularity throughout this time. Lakeland made 34 of 61 shots for the game, including 15 of 30 in the first half before shooting even better in the second half, making 19 of 31 from the field (61.3%). The Muskies also outworked the Eagles on the glass, outrebounding Benedictine 42-30.

The Muskies bolted to a 13-3 lead less than 4 1/2 minutes in and needed just over 10 minutes to score 30 points, taking a 30-18 lead when Kai Buliox (Jr.-Milwaukee, Wis.) split two free throws with 9 minutes, 29 seconds left in the first half. Lakeland maintained a comfortable lead the rest of the half and led 46-37 at halftime after Parker Braun (Fr.-Brillion, Wis.) hit a baseline jumper with 25 seconds left.

Benedictine received a three-pointer from Andrew Stokes just 14 seconds into the half to close within six points, but the Eagles would never get closer again. Lakeland followed with a 9-1 run including a three-point play by Asanjai Hunter (So.-Racine, Wis.), and another 8-0 run ended with Cam Jaeger (Jr.-Oostburg, Wis.) making consecutive three-pointers, the second putting the Muskies up 72-52 with 11:40 left.

The teams mostly traded scores from there, and the Muskies led by 20 again when Buliox made two free throws to make it 90-70 with 4:38 left. Benedictine made up some ground late with aggressive backcourt pressure, forcing five turnovers in the final four minutes and getting as close as 92-83 after a three-pointer by Nick Rentas with 1:20 left. Lakeland closed it out with Hunter making three of four free throws and capping it with a layup with 26 seconds remaining for the final points.

Hunter scored 24 points and Jaeger added 23 to lead four scoring in double figures for the Muskies. Brayden Kennedy (Fr.-Manitowoc, Wis.) also scored 18 points and Isaiah Hammond (Jr.-Milwaukee, Wis.) added 16 points plus 14 rebounds and five assists.

Tanner Resch scored 22 points to lead Benedictine, which shot 41.9% (26 of 62). The Muskies became the first team this season to shoot better than 50% against the Eagles, who were holding opponents to 41.7% coming in.

Lakeland is on the road for its next game and its first game in 2024 when it travels to face Concordia University Chicago Wednesday at 7 p.m. in River Forest, Ill.