Playing in a nearly freezing cold gym, the Lakeland College men's basketball team took advantage of conditions better suited for football in a 99-74 rout of Rockford (Ill.) University Wednesday night in a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference game.

The Muskies forced 31 turnovers in the game, 20 in the first half while racing out to a 26-point halftime lead. Lakeland eventually led by as many as 38 points in the second half in an easy win, improving to 11-3 overall and 6-2 in conference play.

Temperatures in Rockford's Seaver Center were so cold that fans in the stands were wrapped in blankets, but the Muskies clearly dealt with conditions better. Lakeland never trailed and shot 47.2% in the first half while limiting Rockford (8-6 overall, 4-5 NACC) to 30.3% shooting.

The Muskies took advantage of the Regents' turnovers and also shut down the NACC's leading scorer in the first half. David Dixon came in averaging better than 22 points per game but was held to just three points and two rebounds while committing five turnovers in the first half.

Lakeland continued to pour it on in the second half, building the lead to 89-51 on a layup by Jacob Servais (Fr.-Coon Valley, Wis.) with 8:02 to play. The Muskies cruised the rest of the way, topping 90 points for the seventh time this year and just missing out on their second 100-point game of the season.

Joey Burris (Jr.-Kiel, Wis.) scored 18 of his game-high 24 points in the first 20 minutes, knocking down four three-pointers in the half and five in the game. Justin Ward (Sr.-Wisconsin Dells, Wis.) scored 23, James Oshkeshequoam (Sr.-Keshena, Wis.) scored 14 and Brandon Hagenow (So.-Sussex, Wis.) added 10.

The Muskies shot 42.3% for the game (33 of 78), including 10-for-30 from three-point range (33.3%). Lakeland also committed 17 turnovers, 14 less than the host Regents.

Dixon scored 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Rockford, which shot 34.2% for the game (26 of 76) and out-rebounded Lakeland 60-45.