Lakeland College

Late rally not enough for Muskies in loss

Athletics - posted on 2/7/2009

The Lakeland men's basketball team suffered its sixth consecutive loss Saturday despite a furious second-half charge, falling 62-59 at Dominican in a Northern Athletics Conference showdown in River Forest, Ill.

Led by guards Josh Regal and Khendal Andrews, the Muskies (10-11, 4-9 NAC) rallied late to make it a one-point game with seven seconds remaining following a 3-pointer by Andrews.

After a pair of free throws by the Stars, Regal got a great look at a pull-up three just to the right of the top of the key, but it fell short as the buzzer sounded.

"Josh got a great look and came up a little short," Lakeland coach Aaron Aanonsen said. "That may have been a product of him having to play all 40 minutes. But we kept it close, and the game was always within reach."

Dominican (9-12, 5-8) converted 7-of-8 free throws in the final minute to seal the win. The Stars shot 88.9 percent for the game from the charity stripe.

Despite shooting 50 percent from the field for the game, Lakeland turned the ball over at crucial times down the stretch and never led in the game.

"We have to teach our young guys that details matter," Aanonsen said. "A lot of our games have been decided by one or two possessions. Those little things haunt us at the end of the game.

"That's what happens when you have three or four freshmen in your line-up at any given time. Dominican had three seniors on the floor, and it showed."

The Stars took a 26-20 lead into the half, and matched their largest lead of the game (nine points) with 13:33 remaining in the game.

Regal (Suring) and freshman forward Jake Schwarz (Sheboygan) led all scorers with 21 points apiece. Andrews (Kankakee, Ill.) scored all nine of his points in the second half with a trio of 3-pointers.

Lakeland returns to action this Wednesday against NAC North Division rival Concordia, Wis., at 7 p.m. at Lakeland. The Muskies' last win came against the Falcons back on Jan. 20 in Mequon.

"We have to keep battling and stay the course," Aanonsen said. "We have to teach our young team how to win. It will come."

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