Box Score

NEW ULM, Minn. – A difficult first half hampered Northwestern College's efforts to make a comeback against Martin Luther College on Friday night, as the current UMAC leader posted a 71-44 win at the Eagles' expense. The Knights, who entered the game with an undefeated 5-0 conference record, owned a 38-17 halftime lead before winning by 27.

Northwestern jumped out to an early lead at 6-1 before Martin Luther evened the score at 6-6, 8-8 and 10-10 before taking off on a nine-point run to own a 19-10 advantage before 10 minutes had ticked off the clock. After Chanel Madson (Westbrook, Minn./Westbrook-Walnut Grove) scored the Eagles' first basket in over four minutes, Martin Luther's Heather Danell and Brittney Gossen combined for five straight points to push the margin to double digits. The Knights continued to pour on the pressure, and the points, as the home team ended the half on a 6-0 run to lead 38-17.

NWC had a better second half than the first 20 minutes of the game, but the Martin Luther lead was almost out of reach from the get-go. In terms of scoring margin, things didn't get any better for the Eagles, as the Knights had a 31-point advantage with 12:48 still left to go. Northwestern did score the final six points of the game, but Martin Luther held the final upper hand at 71-44.

Northwestern shot 38 percent for the game, but made just one of its 11 three-point attempts on the night. The Eagles' 21 mistakes didn't help, as Martin Luther out-scored NWC 25-10 in points off of turnovers. On the other half of the court, the Knights shot nearly 44 percent overall and 35 percent from downtown.

Mollie Sir (Cresco, Iowa/Crestwood) was the lone Northwestern player in double figures as the sophomore netted 12 points on five of nine shooting. Jessica Fife (Maple Grove, Minn./Osseo) added nine points and 11 rebounds.

Now 5-12 overall and 2-4 in UMAC play, NWC won't have much time to evaluate Friday's performance with a matinee game on Saturday at Bethany Lutheran College looming. The Eagles and Vikings will tip off at 3 p.m. in Mankato, Minn.