The Lake Forest College men's basketball team defeated visiting Beloit College 79-64 on Sunday in the first Midwest Conference game of the season. Forester senior post player Travis Clark led all players in the game with 24 points and 12 rebounds.

Clark shot 9-for-10 from the field and 6-for-7 from the free throw line in the contest. He also tied for the team lead with five assists and added two steals and a blocked shot.

Three other Foresters scored in double figures. Sophomore guard James Stack shot 4-for-5 from the field, including 3-for-4 from three-point range, and made all four of his free throws in an efficient 15-point performance. He also recorded four assists. Senior forward Nate Bateman had 13 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals and did not commit a turnover. Senior guard Chris Roets came off the bench to knock down three three-pointers and score a dozen points. Junior point guard Jeff Beck scored seven points and matched Clark's five assists.

Lake Forest shot a season-high 49.1 percent from the field while limiting Beloit to 40.7 percent. The home team also out-rebounded the Buccaneers 37-26.

There were seven ties and nine lead changes in the game's first 17 minutes. The Foresters closed out the opening period on a 13-4 run, which was started by six straight points by Clark, and led 38-30 at halftime.

Lake Forest also scored the first 10 points of the second half to open up an 18-point lead. The Bucs were able to trim the margin to eight (54-46) with 12 minutes to play but would get no closer.

The Foresters are now 3-1 on the season while Beloit fell to 0-4.

Lake Forest will host a pair of conference games next weekend. The Foresters will take on Carroll University at 7:00 Friday night and Lawrence University the following evening at 5:00.