FOND DU LAC - A season-high 23 fouls derailed Marian University men's basketball (8-6, 5-3 NACC) in an 82-77 loss to Lakeland.
- After trading leads across the first six scoring possessions, Marian used a quick 11-2 run to build a 17-9 advantage.
- Both teams went over three minutes without scoring before a Lakeland layup cut the Muskies' deficit to three.
- A three-pointer from Lakeland's Emmitt Konieczny evened the score at 25-25. Konieczny drilled four first-half three-pointers.
- A thunderous fastbreak dunk by freshman Marvin Haslett gave Marian some life late in the first half.
- Lakeland's Max Justic scored an and-one layup at the buzzer to pull the Muskies within two, 38-36, at halftime.
- Senior Alex Vassilakis scored 15 points first-half points, while junior Andrew Ayeni ran a passing clinic with five assists.
- Ayeni came out of the break aggressively, scoring five of Marian's first eight points.
- Haslett's layup with 11:43 left gave Marian its biggest lead of the night at 10.
- Lakeland clawed back with an 8-0 run, cutting the deficit to two.
- Haslett and Vassilakis both reached four fouls, forcing Coach Drake Diener to shuffle his lineups.
- Another Muskie run, this time 9-0, gave Lakeland a four-point lead with four minutes to go.
- An offensive foul gave Vassilakis his fifth foul, a big blow with 3:35 left.
- With Marian trailing by seven, Haslett hit a three-pointer and converted the free throw for a four-point play, cutting the lead to three with 17 seconds remaining.
- After the basket, senior Derek Lindert nearly intercepted Lakeland's inbounds pass, but the Muskies retained possession and advanced the ball.
- Lakeland sealed the game at the line following a flagrant-one foul with 13 seconds left, holding on for a five-point win.
- Despite a season-high 27 free-throw attempts, Marian made just 16 (.593) and missed ten in the second half.
- The Sabres forced a season-high 12 steals, with Ayeni leading the way with three.
- Marian held Lakeland to zero fastbreak points, creating an 11-0 advantage in the category.
- The Muskies' starters logged 178 of 200 minutes, led by Jaxson Dillon's 20 points and eight rebounds, including 13 in the second half.
- Today marked the 84th all-time meeting between the Sabres and Muskies, with Marian leading the series 43-41.
- Lakeland evened the season series at one game apiece, following Marian's thrilling 67-64 on December 13th.
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Junior Andrew Ayeni did his best to keep the Sabres alive, finishing with 21 points, six rebounds, five assists, and three steals. |
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Senior Alex Vassilakis had a strong first-half before fouling out late, ending with 20 points and seven rebounds. |
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Freshman Marvin Haslett added 13 points while shooting 6-of-7 from the line. |
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Saturday, January 17
Rockford, Ill.
3:15 p.m. |
