Lakeland College

Schwarz carries load again as Muskies handle Cougars

Athletics - posted on 1/12/2013

RIVER FOREST, ILL. - Jake Schwarz (Sr.-Sheboygan, Wis.) scored 27 points and continued to move closer to the Lakeland College men's basketball career scoring mark as he led the Muskies to a 71-54 win over Concordia University Chicago Saturday afternoon.

Schwarz made 11 of 19 shots and helped the Muskies remain unbeaten at 7-0 in Northern Athletics Conference play. Lakeland also is now 14-2 overall, while Schwarz is now just 36 points from tying the school scoring record of 2,008 points held by John Koslowski (1980-84).

Schwarz is up to 1,972 career points, third in school history and just two points from Waymon Stewart (1965-69) for second in school history. He is on pace to break the record next week, either with a big game Tuesday at Edgewood College or else Thursday at home against Milwaukee School of Engineering.

The Muskies were held to their second-lowest scoring total of the season, but still were in control throughout against Concordia (1-13 overall, 1-7 NAC). Lakeland trailed just once at 3-2, and the Muskies led 37-22 at halftime while shooting 51.9% (14-of-27) in the first 20 minutes. Schwarz had 15 of his points in the first half, making seven of 10 field goals.

The Muskies cruised in the second half, pushing the lead as high as 22 points and never leading by less than 14. Lakeland finished shooting 25-of-55 (45.5%) and out-rebounded the Cougars 34-28, while surviving a cold shooting game from three-point range, where the Muskies made just 3-of-16.

Schwarz also finished with a game-high 12 rebounds, and Lakeland had just one other player scoring in double figures, Justin Ward (Jr.-Wisconsin Dells, Wis.), who finished with 11 points, all in the second half. Germell Heard (Sr.-Milwaukee, Wis.) added eight points and three rebounds off the bench. The Muskies' only lower scoring performance this season was when they scored 64 points in a 71-64 loss to Viterbo University on Dec. 19.

Khirey Floyd led Concordia with 14 points and 11 rebounds. The Cougars shot 42.6% (20-of-47) but committed 24 turnovers.

Lakeland faces Edgewood in Madison on Tuesday at 7 p.m. The Muskies then will host MSOE on Thursday at 7 p.m.