CHICAGO, Ill. – Jaxson Dillon (Sr.-Menasha, Wis.) scored a career-high 36 points including nine points in an extra session as the Lakeland University men's basketball team outlasted Illinois Tech 107-103 in overtime Wednesday night at IIT's Keating Sports Center.

The Scarlet Hawks tied the game at the buzzer in regulation but the Muskies recovered in the extra period to earn an important Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference road win. Lakeland improved to 7-12 overall and 5-7 in the NACC, and is now two games clear of Illinois Tech in the standings after it fell to 5-14 overall and 3-9 in league play.

The Muskies never trailed in the game, were ahead by 16 points early in the second half and held a five-point lead with 18.6 seconds left in regulation when Peyton Mrotek (Sr.-Luxemburg, Wis.) banked in an off-balance three-pointer at the end of the shot clock for an 87-82 lead. Illinois Tech would come back, though, with a combination of quick baskets and Lakeland missed free throws getting the hosts to overtime.

Garrison Carter converted a three-point play with 10.8 seconds left, then later made two free throws to get within 88-87. Lakeland missed two of four free throws in the final 10 seconds, and after Dillon made the second of two free throws to make it 89-87 with 4.8 seconds left, the Scarlet Hawks went the length of the court and John Davis III scored on a layup as time expired to tie the game and send it to overtime.

In control for much of the night, the Muskies regained control of the game from the start of overtime. Asanjai Hunter (Sr.-Racine, Wis.) hit a three-pointer, scored on a driving layup, Dillon split two free throws and Hunter made two foul shots, the latter giving Lakeland a 99-91 lead with 2:35 remaining.

The Muskies would score on their first eight possessions of overtime, and even two Illinois Tech steals with full court pressure in the final minute could only get the Scarlet Hawks as close as four points in the final seconds. Lakeland made all four of its field goals in overtime and 9 of 12 at the foul line in outscoring IIT 18-14 in extra time.

The Muskies built a 44-35 lead at halftime after a first half when they held Tech to 34.5% shooting (10 of 29) and also outrebounded the Scarlet Hawks 26-17. Dillon scored 16 points and Mrotek grabbed 10 rebounds in the first half alone, but Illinois Tech came back in the second half with an offense that scored nearly at will. IIT shot 75.0% (21 of 28) in the second half, but Lakeland continued to keep the hosts at bay with timely three-point shooting late.

Dillon finished making 10 of 18 shots from the field, including three three-pointers, and also sunk 13 of 18 free throw attempts. The senior broke his previous career high of 33 points set last season against Loras (Iowa) College.

Mrotek also scored 22 points and set a career high with 13 rebounds. Hunter scored 19 points and Max Justic (Fr.-Chicago, Ill.) added 16 points. Lakeland finished shooting 48.5% (33 of 68), including 10 of 29 from three-point range (34.5%) and 31 of 40 from the foul line (77.5%).

Isaiah Dudley scored 31 points to lead Illinois Tech, which finished shooting 52.2% (36 of 69) and drained 29 of 35 free throws (82.9%) but hit just 2 of 12 from three-point range.

Lakeland tries for another NACC win on the road Saturday when it take on Rockford University at 3:15 p.m. in the back end of a women's/men's doubleheader.