RIVER FOREST, Ill. – The Wisconsin Lutheran College men's basketball team used a 9-2 to close out the game as it snapped its five-game losing streak with a 65-57 win over Dominican Saturday afternoon at the Igini Sports Forum.

The host Stars (3-14, 1-8 NAC) took a 3-2 lead with 17:48 on the clock in the first half, but that would be their only lead of the game as a Tim Demuth (Franksville, Wis./Racine Lutheran) three-pointer 17 seconds later put the Warriors ahead, where they would remain for the rest of the half.

Wisconsin Lutheran led by just one point, 14-13, with 9:21 remaining in the first half before rattling off the next 11 points, including four by Russell Strutz (Sturtevant, Wis./Shoreland Lutheran) to go up 25-13 with 5:01 to play before halftime. Dominican cut that lead back to eight points, but WLC had another answer and led by a first-half high 14 points with 55 seconds remaining. The Stars made a three-pointer on the ensuing possession as the score read 33-22 at the break.

Wisconsin Lutheran was out-shot in the opening half as the Stars made 42.9 percent (9-for-21) of their shots, but the Warriors got many more scoring chances, going 12-for-34 (35.3 percent) from the floor in the first half.

After Alex Merbach (Kaukauna, Wis./Fox Valley Lutheran) made a jumper with 15:58 remaining in the game, WLC held a 45-31 lead which tied for its largest lead of the afternoon. That would be the Warriors' final field goal for over seven and a half minutes as Dominican went on a 14-0 run to tie the score at 45-45 with 8:43 remaining in the game.

Strutz answered with a three-point shot on the next possession as the Warriors went on a 8-2 run, with another three-pointer coming from Merbach to quickly push the lead back up to 53-47 with 6:13 remaining in the game.

The Stars made another push as they cut the lead down to one, 56-55, with 2:44 remaining in the game. Just like it did all afternoon, Wisconsin Lutheran answered, ending the game on a 9-2 run and escaping with the 65-57 victory.

For the game, Wisconsin Lutheran shot 35 percent (21-for-60) but connected on nine three-pointers, four from Demuth and two each from Merbach and Strutz. The Stars connected on 40 percent (20-for-50) of their shots, however they were just 3-for-21 from beyond the arc. The Warriors won the turnover battle as they forced 15 DU turnovers, compared to giving it up just nine times themselves.

Merbach led the charge with 17 points on 7-for-17 shooting. Demuth finished with 16 points and Strutz added 13 while teammate Julion Griffin (Milwaukee, Wis./Wisconsin Lutheran) pulled down a team-high seven rebounds in the win.

Dominican was led by Darrius Nelson, who finished with 17 points. Kyle Sherwin added 14 points and Logan Harris chipped in 13 and a game-best eight rebounds.

Wisconsin Lutheran (3-14, 2-7 NAC) returns to the court Wednesday night when it travels to Mequon, Wis. for a matchup with conference rival Concordia Wisconsin (12-4, 8-2 NAC). Game time between the Warriors and Falcons is set for 7 p.m. at the R. John Buuck Field House. Fans unable to attend the game can follow the action via live audio, stats and video at wlcsports.com.