MILWAUKEE – The Wisconsin Lutheran College men's basketball team fell to Marian 61-51 Tuesday night in a Northern Athletics Conference contest at the Recreation Complex.

The Sabres (5-11, 2-6 NAC) started strong from the opening tip as they built a 17-5 lead just 6:30 into the game. The Warriors had an answer, however, as they rattled off 16 of the next 20 points to tie the game at 21-21 with 4:17 remaining in the first half.

The final 4:17 of the half was a back-and-forth affair, but it was Marian which scored the last points of the half as the visitors took a slight 26-24 lead into halftime.

Wisconsin Lutheran out-shot Marian in the opening half, connecting on 37 percent (10-for-27) of its shot attempts, compared to the Sabres' 33.3 percent (8-for-24). The ability to get to the free throw line was the reason WLC trailed at the half as Marian shot 8-for-13 from the line compared to just 2-for-4 for Wisconsin Lutheran.

Alex Merbach (Kaukauna, Wis./Fox Valley Lutheran) scored nine points to lead Wisconsin Lutheran at the break. Marian's Jeff Harris led all first-half scorers with 11 points.

The Warriors came out after halftime and scored the first four points on a pair of Russell Strutz (Sturtevant, Wis./Shoreland Lutheran) jumpers to take a 28-26 lead. Marian tied things up quickly at 30-30 and then got a three-point play from Cody Veleke to go up 33-30. Wisconsin Lutheran hung around and trailed by just two points at the 6:19 mark, but never could tie or take the lead as the Sabres came away with the 10-point victory.

Both teams improved their shooting in the second half, but it was Marian which vastly improved as it made 54.5 percent (12-for-22) of its shot attempts compared to WLC's 38.7 percent (12-for-31). Rebounding was very tight as Wisconsin Lutheran won the battle, 36-35.

Strutz finished with a career-high 15 points, with 10 coming in the second half to lead Wisconsin Lutheran. Merbach finished with 13 points and Julion Griffin (Milwaukee, Wis./Wisconsin Lutheran) pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds for the Warriors. Harris finished with a game-high 20 points as he was one of four Sabres to finish in double figures.

Wisconsin Lutheran (2-13, 1-6 NAC) returns to action Thursday night when it travels to Sheboygan, Wis. for a conference contest against Lakeland (11-4, 5-2 NAC). Tip-off between the Warriors and Muskies is set for 7 p.m. Fans unable to attend the game can follow the action via live audio, stats and video at wlcsports.com.