MADISON- The Edgewood College Eagles men's basketball squad returned home to the Todd Wehr Edgedome Saturday afternoon. They faced off with the Lakeland Muskies in a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) battle. The Eagles (4-13, 3-7 NACC) struck first with a strong first half, but turnovers down the stretch helped fuel a Muskies (6-10, 5-4) rally in an 89-80 defeat.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The two squads kept pace with each other in the first five minutes, with Edgewood College holding onto a 14-10 lead at 14:46. An 11-3 rally propelled the Eagles ahead 25-13 at 11:51. Edgewood College built up to a 42-25 lead over the next 8:28.
 
- The Muskies struck back over the next 3:23 to close the half strong. They pieced together a 16-3 burst to head into the locker room down 45-41.

- The Eagles held onto single-possession leads for most of the first ten minutes of the second frame, but Lakeland would battle to a 59-59 tie at 11:13. A pair of three pointers from Payton Bowser pushed Edgewood College ahead 67-61 at 9:39.
 
- After the hosts led 75-68 with 6:33 remaining, the Muskies took over the next 4:01. They battled back to a 77-77 tie at 2:32 off a 9-2 rally. Back-to-back threes from the visitors pushed them to a two-score lead, up 83-79 with 1:01 left. Lakeland made their free throws down the stretch to hold onto the victory.
 
- The Muskies shot 46.9 (30-of-64) percent from the field, while the Eagles shot 51.7 (31-of-60) percent from the field. Edgewood College had 13 turnovers to Lakeland's seven.

- Drew Houtakker anchored the hosts with a 21-point, 14-rebound double-double. He also earned three steals.
 
- Danny Mulcare recorded 10 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and a block.
 
- Isaiah Hubanks posted 10 points, while Bowser and AC Strok each tallied eight points.
 
- Cliff McCray paced all scorers with 27 points. Asanjai Hunter earned 24 points and 4 assists.
 
- Peyton Mrotek and Jaxson Dillon rounded out the double-digit scorers with 16 and 13 points respectively.
 
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Hubanks' 10 points were a career best.
 
- Houtakker's 21 points and 14 rebounds were both season highs.
 
UP NEXT
The Eagles will look to bounce back at the Edgedome Wednesday evening. They'll face off with the Concordia Chicago Cougars in NACC action. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.