MILWAUKEE (WLCSports.com) - Wisconsin Lutheran College overcame an 11-point deficit by shooting nearly 47 percent in the second half on its way to an 87-71 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference win over Lakeland on Tuesday at the Time of Grace Center.
The Warriors (12-6, 9-2 NACC), who won their sixth straight game to move into sole possession of first place in the NACC, trailed the Muskies (9-8, 3-7 NACC) for much of the first half. LU held a 22-15 lead over WLC, its largest of the opening stanza, at the 10:56 mark. Wisconsin Lutheran answered with an 8-0 scoring run, capped by a three from senior
Simeon Strauss (Chicago, Ill.) for a 23-22 lead. It was one of six lead changes over the first 20 minutes of action.
Junior
Grayson Goetz (Aurora, Ill.) gave the Warriors a 36-32 lead, their largest of the first half, following a jumper with 3:48 remaining. Lakeland responded with 11 straight points to match its largest lead of the half, before holding that same margin, 45-38, at intermission. WLC shot 39.5 percent in the first half, compared to the Muskies' sizzling 63 percent.
LU opened up a game-high 11-point lead less than a minute into the second half, but Wisconsin Lutheran whittled its deficit down to three points at 50-47 after a three from senior
Trevor Stiede (Pulaski, Wis.) with 15:34 left. Lakeland led 58-53 before the Warriors rattled off an impressive 18-2 scoring run to take control. Stiede's go-ahead three put WLC in front for good at 61-58 and Goetz's jumper with 8:41 remaining capped the run.
The Muskies came within six points at 75-69 with 5:20 to play, but a 5-0 spurt from Goetz alone put the game away to seal the sixth straight win for Wisconsin Lutheran.
Junior
Ryan Broeckel (Chilton, Wis.) paced a balanced scoring attack for the Warriors with 20 points and 10 rebounds for his ninth double-double of the season. Goetz and Strauss finished with 18 points apiece, Stiede added 14 second-half points on four three-pointers, and junior
Jacob Stoltz (Kewaskum, Wis.) chipped in with 10 points and seven assists. WLC shot 42.9 percent (30-for-70) for the game and out-scored LU 20-3 in points off turnovers.
Isaiah Hammond scored 18 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead Lakeland, which cooled off in the second half and finished at 45.5 percent (25-for-55) shooting for the game.
Wisconsin Lutheran hosts Rockford (8-9, 4-7 NACC) on Saturday at 1 p.m. in its annual Winterfest game. Live coverage links will be available at WLCSports.com.
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