PLYMOUTH, Wis. – The Lakeland University women's basketball team weathered several bumpy stretches to finish strong in the end and defeat Marian University 75-61 Wednesday night in Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play.

The Muskies saw an early 14-point lead nearly evaporate by the third quarter but rebuilt the margin and more late in another success at the Moose & Dona Woltzen Gymnasium. Lakeland improved to 7-1 at home this season and is 7-7 overall and 4-1 in the NACC.

It was an up-and-down night for the Muskies, who scored at least 20 points in three quarters and also forced 32 Marian turnovers. Lakeland committed 25 turnovers of its own, though, scored just six points in a frigid second quarter and saw the Sabres (3-11 overall, 1-4 NACC) get as close as three points in the third quarter.

The Muskies would pick it up in the final 11-plus minutes, though, including a quick run over the end of the third and beginning of the fourth quarters to seize control. Lakeland made 11 of 18 shots in the fourth period (68.8%), led by as much as 18 down the stretch and finished scoring at least 75 points for the sixth time this season.

Marian closed within three points at 42-39 with four minutes left in the third quarter and the Muskies still led by just four when the Sabres' Taj Hanserd hit one of two free throws to make it 44-40 with 1:30 left in the third.

Lakeland broke the game open over a stretch bookending the third and fourth periods, though, going on a 16-4 run in just over three minutes. A.T. Bartlett (Jr.-Farmington Hills, Mich.) scored four points in the stretch, Lauryn Johnson (Jr.-Kenosha, Wis.) converted a three-point play, Jenna Shea (So.-Appleton, Wis.) hit a three-pointer and a layup by Meghan MacPhee (So.-Marquette, Mich.) gave the Muskies a 60-44 lead with 7:52 left in the game. Marian briefly closed back within 10 after consecutive three-pointers by Lexi Brakebush but got no closer the rest of the way.

Lakeland led for all but a few seconds in the early going and built a 24-11 lead after one quarter. Halle Boldt (Sr.-Sheboygan, Wis.) scored the Muskies' final 10 points of the period, including back-to-back jumpers in the final 29 seconds.

Lakeland forced 13 Marian turnovers in the opening 10 minutes, and built the lead to 14 twice early in the second quarter, the second time when MacPhee's offensive rebound and layup made it 27-13 with 7:39 left. From there, the Muskies went into an offensive funk, scoring just three points the rest of the half. Lakeland made just 2 of 15 from the field in the quarter, and the Sabres crawled back within 30-24 at halftime despite committing 24 turnovers in the first half.

Boldt finished with 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists, one of four scoring in double figures for the Muskies. Bartlett also scored 14, Johnson tallied 12 points plus nine rebounds and five steals and Jenna Caterino (Sr.-Stanton, Mich.) added 10 points, six rebounds and three steals. Sadie Grabow (Fr.-Bourbonnais, Ill.) also added four points plus a season-high nine rebounds and three steals.

Lakeland finished shooting 41.7% (30 of 72), warming up to 51.3% (20 of 39) in the second half after hitting just 10 of 33 (30.3%) in the first half. The Muskies also converted 12 of 16 from the free throw line.

Brakebush scored a game-high 23 points to lead Marian, which shot 37.9% (22 of 58). Lyla Bartol added 10 points and McKayla Goebel finished with seven points plus a career-high 16 rebounds.

Lakeland is back on the road Saturday when it travels to face Edgewood College at 3:15 p.m. in Madison.