PLYMOUTH, Wis. (WLCSports.com) – Lakeland built a sizable first-half cushion and then held off a late push by Wisconsin Lutheran College to secure a 66–60 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference victory on Wednesday at Woltzen Gymnasium.
The Warriors (3-13, 1-8 NACC) built an early 7-2 advantage less than five minutes into the game but the Muskies (6-11, 4-6 NACC) grabbed a 14-9 lead at the 11:00 minute mark after an 8-0 scoring spurt. LU used a 10–0 run to turn a tight game into a double-digit advantage, eventually pushing the margin to as many as 19 points with just over three minutes remaining. WLC steadied itself late in the half, scoring the final nine points, but still trailed 35-25 at the break.
Wisconsin Lutheran netted the first four points of the second half to trail by six, and came within four points three minutes into the period. Lakeland increased its lead back to 10 points with 14:13 on the clock, but an 8-0 run fueled by six points from freshman
Bryce Appel (Edgerton, Wis.) had the Warriors within two at 46-44 with under 12 minutes left. The Muskies once again built their lead back to double-digits three minutes later, but WLC clawed back to make it a two-point contest at 59-57 with 1:39 left. LU responded with a three-pointer and Wisconsin Lutheran was unable to come within one possession over the final 1:30 of the contest.
The Warriors shot 40.0 percent (22-for-55) from the field but were held to 16.7 percent (3-for-18) from three-point range. Appel led the Warriors with a season-high double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds, while sophomore
Lucas Anamndu (Buffalo Grove, Ill.) added 11 points. Sophomore
Sam Hans (Hartland, Wis.) chipped in eight points, and freshman
Isaiah Mellock (Greendale, Wis.) pulled down eight rebounds.
Lakeland finished the night shooting 43.4 percent (23-for-53) overall and 33.3 percent (11-for-33) from beyond the arc. Peyton Mrotek scored a game-high 20 points, and Jaxson Dillon added 17. Asanjai Hunter also reached double figures with 13 points. Mrotek led the Muskies on the glass with seven rebounds.
Wisconsin Lutheran returns to action Saturday, January 24, when it hosts Rockford (8-8, 5-4 NACC) at 3:15 p.m. Live coverage links can be found at WLCSports.com.
