Box Score Lakeland-Aurora Box Score  PDF

PLYMOUTH, Wis. – Lakeland University got off to a cold start and Aurora University took advantage to gain early control on the way to defeating the Muskies 82-62 in a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference men's basketball matchup Wednesday night at the Moose & Dona Woltzen Gymnasium.

Lakeland continued to struggle down the season's homestretch, dropping its fourth straight game and falling to 6-18 overall and 4-13 in conference with one game to play. The Muskies wrap up their season Saturday when they host Wisconsin Lutheran College for Senior Day at 3:15 p.m.

The Spartans (10-14 overall, 7-10 NACC) never trailed in the game, getting comfortable early as Lakeland scored seven points in the game's first eight minutes. Aurora built a double-digit lead in those early stages, and though the Muskies made several brief runs in the first half, the Spartans took a 43-32 lead into halftime and were in charge throughout the second half.

Aurora went ahead 18-7 on two free throws by Isaiah Davis with 11:59 left in the first half before Lakeland closed within four on two occasions a few minutes later, including when Asanjai Hunter (So.-Racine, Wis.) made two free throws to cut the Spartans' lead to 25-21. Aurora answered with eight straight points to go up 13 before a Muskies 9-2 run capped by Brayden Kennedy (Fr.-Manitowoc, Wis.) hitting his third three-pointer to get Lakeland within 37-30 with 2:15 remaining in the half.

The Spartans would take a 43-32 lead into the halftime break, and the Muskies would never get within single digits again. Aurora began to pull away with an 11-2 run over four minutes capped by Mekhi Doby splitting two free throws to make it 58-39 with 13:18 left in the game. The Spartans would soon push the lead to 20 and led by as much as 25 points in the final minutes.

Kennedy provided a bright spot scoring 16 points, including making 4 of 6 from three-point range. Cam Jaeger (Sr.-Oostburg, Wis.) also added 14 points, Hunter chipped in eight points and three assists and Isaiah Hammond (Jr.-Milwaukee, Wis.) posted six points, six rebounds and four blocked shots.

Lakeland shot 38.7% from the field, making 24 of 62 shots, including 6 of 20 from three-point range. The Muskies committed just seven turnovers but were out rebounded 49-31, including the Spartans pulling down 16 offensive rebounds.

Joevonn McCottry led Aurora with 21 points, Doby scored 17 points and Dwayne Jervier added 15 points and 12 rebounds. Jeffery Hillmer also added eight points plus a career-high 18 rebounds. The Spartans shot 45.6% (31 of 68), including 7 of 18 from three-point range.

Saturday's Lakeland Senior Day will see the Muskies recognize three seniors on this year's team: Jaeger, Kai Buliox (Milwaukee, Wis.) and Caleb Fuller (Oshkosh, Wis.).