MILWAUKEE - The Wisconsin Lutheran College men's basketball team fell to Lakeland 96-74 Tuesday on Senior Night in the final conference game of the season for both teams at the Recreation Complex.
The Warriors and Muskies played a close opening five minutes as WLC had a 10-9 lead with 15:15 remaining in the first half. A Lakeland three-pointer sparked a 20-2 run that put the Muskies on top with 9:22 left in the opening half. The Warriors cut the lead to 36-26 with 4:11 left before halftime, but Lakeland responded with another run of its own and took a 49-35 lead into the break.
Both teams scorched the nets in the first half as the visiting Muskies connected on 54.5 percent (18-for-33) of their shots, while Wisconsin Lutheran made 41.9 percent (13-for-31) of its attempts. WLC drained five three-pointers, while the Muskies dialed in on six shots from long distance. A big difference in the first half was Lakeland's ability to push the tempo as they out-scored the Warriors 13-0 on fast break points.
Nate Bauer (Lake Mills, Wis./Lakeside Lutheran) paced Wisconsin Lutheran in the first half with nine points, while Russell Strutz (Sturtevant, Wis./Shoreland Lutheran) added seven. Lakeland's Justin Ward had 14 points before the break to lead all first-half scorers.
The Warriors scored the first basket of the second half and trailed by 12 on a couple different occasions early, but the majority of the second half saw Lakeland leading by more than 20 points. The Muskies held a game-high 30-point lead with 4:07 remaining in the game.
Each team continued their impressive shooting as WLC finished the game at 42.2 percent (27-for-64). Lakeland connected on 55.6 percent (35-for-63) of its shots in the contest. The Muskies also continued to push the ball, out-scoring Wisconsin Lutheran 21-0 in fast break points.
Alex Merbach (Kaukauna, Wis./Fox Valley Lutheran), one of two seniors who were honored on Senior Night, scored a team-high 15 points to lead Wisconsin Lutheran. Bauer added 14 and Strutz chipped in with 10. The other senior honored was Eric Reed (Fond du Lac, Wis./Winnebago Lutheran), who finished with five points and made his only shot from behind the arc.
Jake Schwarz, who entered the game as the Northern Athletic Conference's leading scorer and rebounder, finished with game-highs in each category as he paced Lakeland (18-6, 12-4 NAC) with 20 points and nine rebounds. Ward finished with 18 points for the Muskies.
Wisconsin Lutheran (5-19, 4-12 NAC) will conclude its 2011-2012 season Saturday when it hosts MSOE (9-15, 7-9 NAC) in a NAC Challenge game. Tip-off between the Warriors and Raiders is set for 4:15 p.m. at the Recreation Complex. Fans unable to attend the game can follow the action via live audio, stats and video at wlcsports.com.