PLYMOUTH, Wis. – The Lakeland University men's basketball team had one of its lowest scoring outputs of the season and Concordia University Wisconsin pulled away in the second half to defeat the Muskies 77-65 Saturday afternoon at the Moose & Dona Woltzen Gymnasium.

The Muskies struggled to 33.3% shooting from the field and Concordia won the 132nd meeting between the longtime rivals, taking a 70-62 lead in the all-time series. Lakeland was officially eliminated from contention for the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Tournament, dropping to 6-17 overall and 4-12 in conference with two games remaining in its season.

Contrary to their typical high-scoring contests, points were harder to come by for both the Muskies and Falcons on Saturday. The Muskies in particular shot their second-lowest percentage of the season, making just 23 of 69 shots, and tied for their second-lowest scoring output of the campaign.

Concordia (10-13 overall, 9-7 NACC) shot a robust 60.0%, making 24 of 40 shots, and also hit 22 of 29 from the free throw line (75.9%). The Falcons also committed 24 turnovers, though, 10 more than Lakeland, and a 21-8 advantage in points off turnovers helped the Muskies stay in the game.

CUW held a slim lead throughout the first half and a 32-29 edge at halftime, and the Muskies still were within three when Asanjai Hunter (So.-Racine, Wis.) made two free throws with 12 minutes, 44 seconds left in the game. The Falcons would score on five of their next six possessions, though, with Sam Meerstein completing a three-point play, Freeman Jackson scoring on a layup and making three free throws in the stretch, and Zech Hans hit a three-pointer in transition just seconds after a Cam Jaeger (Jr.-Oostburg, Wis.) three-pointer had cut the Concordia lead down to 51-45.

Jackson's two free throws with 9:29 left gave the Falcons a 56-45 lead, and the Muskies never could put together a run the rest of the way. Lakeland was especially cold shooting in the second half, making just 11 of 35 shots, including 3 of 14 from three-point range. The Muskies got no closer than eight points the rest of the way and scored just two points in the final 4:31.

Hunter and Kai Buliox (Jr.-Milwaukee, Wis.) scored 16 points each, with Hunter also adding four rebounds and six steals. Isaiah Hammond (Jr.-Milwaukee, Wis.) added nine points and seven rebounds, and the Muskies finished with 15 offensive rebounds, but still were outrebounded 37-34 for the game.

Jackson scored a game-high 21 points for Concordia, making 7 of 13 from the field and 7 of 10 from the free throw line. Gabe Pruss added 13 points and 10 rebounds plus two blocked shots.

Lakeland is home again for its next game against Aurora University Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at the Woltzen Gym.