LISLE, Ill. - The Benedictine University men's basketball team dropped a 64-61 decision to Lakeland on Saturday night.

Michael Blaszczyk opened the scoring in the contest by converting a four-point play. Benedictine led by eight in the early goings of the contest, holding a 12-4 advantage with 14:35 to play in the first. Lakeland rallied from down seven points to take the lead by tallying eight straight and grabbing a lead of 17-16 with 8:50 remaining in the first. Tim McGinty nailed a jumper to put Benedictine ahead again on the next possession, the first points of a 13-7 burst to close the half. Benedictine led 29-24 at the break.

Lakeland came out strong to open the second half. The visitors embarked on a run of 11-2, opening a 35-31 lead with 16:25 to play. Lakeland held the lead for much of the second half, grabbing a 54-47 lead with 8:02 left. Benedictine responded by using an 8-1 run to tie the game. Tahron Harvey evened the game at 55 with a second chance basket at the 5:56 mark of the second. Lakeland scored five straight to lead by five inside of two minutes to play. McGinty brought Benedictine within a point by hitting a layup with just :31 left. Harvey had a chance to tie but missed a three just before the buzzer.

The contest featured four ties and five lead changes. Lakeland shot over 60 percent in the second half. Benedictine held a 42-32 edge on the glass, resulting in 16 second-chance points. McGinty paced three players in double figures with 17 points, adding 11 rebounds for a double-double, his first of the year. Blaszczyk notched 12 points with John Dodson adding 10. Adam Reynolds reeled in 10 rebounds.

Benedictine (5-3, 4-2 NACC) hosts nationally ranked North Central on Wednesday night.