The Muskies have largely dominated the Stars of late, winning 16 of the teams' last 18 meetings. The teams met earlier this season back in December and Lakeland pulled out a 72-69 win on the road in River Forest, Ill. on Dec. 9. Dominican's last win in the series came last season just under a year ago, with the Stars prevailing 86-67 at home in River Forest in what counted as a non-conference game between the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference rivals. The Muskies won the last time the teams played at the Woltzen Gymnasium, taking an 82-70 decision Dec. 3, 2022. The series dates back to Nov. 23, 1983, when Dominican defeated Lakeland 91-87 in overtime at home.

Lakeland last time out: Lost at Marian 96-90 Saturday
The Muskies shot 55% from the field for the game but the Sabres were even better in a game dominated by offenses. Both teams were especially hot in the second half, with Lakeland hitting 64.3% and Marian shooting 67.9% over the final 20 minutes. The Sabres took the lead for good with 13 minutes left and slowly built the margin, though the Muskies closed within two in the final minute. Cam Jaeger scored 22 points and added eight rebounds, Isaiah Hammond and Jaxson Dillon scored 17 points each and Asanjai Hunter added 12 points, 10 rebounds and three steals. Jaeger also made six three-pointers and now with 189 triples has moved into sole possession of third place on Lakeland's all-time career three-pointers list, breaking a tie with Kyle Vogt (1998-2002) coming into the game.

Dominican last time out: Defeated St. Norbert 71-64 Saturday
The Stars scored one of the most impressive wins of any team in the NACC, handing the conference-leading Green Knights just their second loss of the season. Dominican led by 13 points in the first half and answered every SNC run in the second half, never trailing in the final 20 minutes. Green Bay native Daniel Nennig scored 16 points and added seven assists for Dominican and Joshua West added 14 points.

About the Stars: Dominican has been coming on of late, winning five of its last eight games, with its losses in that stretch including one by a point at Benedictine and another by six points to NACC co-leader Wisconsin Lutheran. The Stars have a new coach in Troy Tonsil, an alum of Dominican who spent 11 years as an assistant at the school before taking over for longtime coach Mark White. Dominican is much improved, with its six conference wins four more than the previous three years combined, including last year when the Stars finished 7-17 overall and 1-15 in the NACC.

Recapping the first meeting: The Muskies got the win on the road by making the plays down the stretch in one of their many close NACC contests. Dominican led 65-61 with six minutes left but Lakeland took the lead on a layup by Asanjai Hunter with 2:53 left and held on, weathering a missed Stars three-point attempt at the buzzer. Brayden Kennedy scored 15 points and Isaiah Hammond came near a triple-double with 12 points, eight rebounds and nine assists.