Box Score
Box score
SHEBOYGAN, Wis. - Lakeland's Jake Schwarz
scored 25 points and grabbed 20 rebounds as the host Muskies
defeated Wisconsin Lutheran College 85-65 Thursday night in a
Northern Athletics Conference game at the Moose and Dona Woltzen
Gymnasium.
Despite never taking the lead against the Muskies, the Warriors
battled closely with the hosts throughout most of the opening 20
minutes. WLC trailed by just five points, 21-16, at the 11:51 mark
before Lakeland increased its lead to double-digits for the final
10:47 of the first half. The Muskies led by as many as 17 points
and took a 46-31 lead into halftime.
Alex Merbach (Kaukauna, Wis./Fox Valley Lutheran) scored a
first-half high 18 points on 9-for-14 shooting from the floor as
the Warriors shot 48.4 percent (15-for-31) as a team in the half.
The Muskies countered with 55.9 percent (19-for-34) shooting and
were led by Jake Schwarz's 16 points. Although just one more
turnover than the Muskies in the first half, the hosts held an 11-4
advantage in points off turnovers.
In the second half, Wisconsin Lutheran got within 13 points six
different times, but the Muskies never let their lead fall below
that margin. Lakeland posted a game-high 20-point lead twice within
the final 1:29 of the contest.
Russell Strutz (Sturtevant, Wis./Shoreland Lutheran) netted
eight points in the second half to lead WLC, which shot a slightly
lower 41.9 percent (13-for-31) in the second half. Justin Ward
registered 14 second-half points for the Muskies, who shot 43.3
percent (13-for-30) in the period.
Rebounding and free throws proved to be a big difference in the
game as Lakeland out-rebounded Wisconsin Lutheran 45-29 and made
more free throws (18) than the Warriors attempted (13). WLC shot
45.2 percent (28-for-62) for the game, while LC made an even 50
percent (32-for-64) of its shots.
Merbach finished with a game-high 25 points for the Warriors to
go along with a team-best nine rebounds. Nate Bauer (Lake Mills,
Wis./Lakeside Lutheran) was the other Warrior to reach double
figures with 11 points.
Josh Regel added 11 points for Lakeland (12-4, 6-2 NAC) to join
Schwarz (25) and Ward (22) in double figures.
Wisconsin Lutheran (2-14, 1-7 NAC) remains on the road Saturday
when it faces Dominican (3-13, 1-7 NAC) at the Igini Sports Forum
in River Forest, Ill. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. Fans
unable to attend the game can follow the action via live audio,
stats and video at wlcsports.com.
