ROCKFORD, Ill. – Rockford University went on a huge run at the end of the first half to turn the game around and the Lakeland University men's basketball team was defeated 87-60 Saturday afternoon in Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play.

A second trip this week south of the state border to Illinois started well but did not have the same happy ending as the Muskies' 107-103 overtime win at Illinois Tech on Wednesday. Lakeland dropped to 7-13 overall and is now 5-8 in the NACC with five regular season games remaining.

The Muskies started out red-hot from the field in taking an eight-point lead in the first half, but the Regents (10-9 overall, 7-5 NACC) took over in the final six minutes of the half. Rockford outscored Lakeland 19-1 to close out the opening 20 minutes, turning a 34-27 deficit into a 46-35 lead at the break.

The Regents continued to build the lead at the start of the second half, and a layup by Luke Stuckey made it 65-39 with 15:09 remaining in the game, extending the hosts' run to 38-5. Lakeland was held without a field goal for more than 10 minutes in the stretch and never got closer than 16 points again the remainder of the game.

The turn of events came after the Muskies opened the game strong, making nine of their first 12 shots including five three-pointers over the first 6 1/2 minutes. Peyton Mrotek (Sr.-Luxemburg, Wis.) made three triples, and his third gave Lakeland a 23-15 lead with 13:27 left in the half.

Rockford would come back with eight straight points to tie the game, but the Muskies pulled back out to a 34-27 lead after Mrotek hit two free throws with 7:16 left in the half. The Regents would own the rest of the half, though, as Lakeland missed its final seven field goal attempts and committed five turnovers.

Asanjai Hunter (Sr.-Racine, Wis.) scored 20 points to lead the Muskies and Mrotek finished with 17 points plus a team highs with seven rebounds and four assists. Jaxson Dillon (Sr.-Menasha, Wis.) also added 12 points.

Lakeland finished shooting a season-low 33.3% (18 of 54) from the field, including just 22.2% (6 of 27) in the second half. Rockford shot 55.7% (34 of 61), including better than 54% in both halves, and also owned a 42-24 rebounding advantage.

Jaden Bell led the Regents with 26 points and added nine rebounds, making 11 of 14 shots from the floor. Kamren Hogan also scored 24 points, making 8 of 11 shots, and Adrian Agee added 17 points off the bench.

The Muskies are back home Wednesday to host Milwaukee School of Engineering for a NACC contest starting at 7 p.m. at the Moose & Dona Woltzen Gymnasium.