NIACC knocks off No. 14 Lakers

ESTHERVILLE - For the third time in four seasons, the NIACC men's basketball team has won at Iowa Lakes.

NIACC jumped out to a 49-31 lead at the half and held on for a 83-81 victory over No. 14 (NJCAA Division II) Iowa Lakes Wednesday night in an ICCAC contest.

The Trojans also won at Iowa Lakes in the 2018-19 season (107-94) and the 2019-20 season (105-91).

Wednesday's win was the second over a rated team this season for NIACC. The Trojans stopped then No. 17 Bryant & Stratton 70-69 on Nov. 1 in Mason City.

In Wednesday's win, Jeffrey Skogen, who secured the defensive rebound after a missed Iowa Lakes' free throw with 4.2 seconds remaining in the contest, connected on one of two free throws to give the Trojans a 83-81 lead.

Iowa Lakes' last second heave missed and the Trojans won their second straight league road game. NIACC won 70-44 at Iowa Central on Jan. 5.

NIACC (12-4 overall, 3-2 in the ICCAC) was led by freshman Myles Tucker, who came off the bench to score 18 points. Tucker was six of 12 from the field, including a four of seven performance from 3-point range.

Tucker leads the Trojans with 26 3-point goals this season.

Also for NIACC, point guard Cortaviaus Seales scored 11 points with six assists and four steals. Skogen scored 10 points with six rebounds and four assists. Noah Rigatuso scored 14 points and Jacques Kelly scored 11 points.

Iowa Lakes (11-5, 3-2) was led by Ryan Hall with 18 points.

NIACC returns to action Saturday at home against DMACC in an ICCAC contest. Game time in the NIACC gym is slated for 3 p.m.