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.