NEW ULM — Martin Luther University trailed Northwestern by one point early in the second half in an Upper Midwest Athletic Conference women’s basketball game, but ultimately lost to the Eagles 62-51. Defeated.
For the Knights, Jordyn Heckendorf had 14 points, three assists and three steals, and Lauren Paulsen had nine points, eight rebounds and four assists. For MLC, Emma Nelson had eight points and eight rebounds.
MLC had some solid rebounding at times, scoring 18 second-chance points to Northwestern’s 13, but the scoring slipped at times midway through the first half, where Northwestern was able to solidify its lead. . The Knights also shot 29.4 percent from the field, compared to 43.9 percent for the Eagles.
Northwestern started the game outscoring MLC 16-7, but Paulsen scored four of MLC’s previous seven points and cut the lead to 16-10 with three from the top of the arc. Anna Kieselhorst picked up two fouls in transition on the Knights’ next two possessions, making it 3-4 at the final line, cutting the lead to 16-13.
By the end of the quarter, Northwestern held a narrow 18-17 lead.
MLC continued to play close against Northwestern, tying the game at 24 with a three that bounced around the rim for several seconds before Grace Kieselhorst made the basket. Heckendorf’s putback briefly gave the Knights a 26-25 lead, but Northwestern’s River Landers gave the Eagles the lead back with a layup.
Northwestern built a small lead before the halftime buzzer, but a half-court throw from Anna Kieselhorst almost made it a point back. However, the shot was delayed slightly, making the score 30-26.
The Knights held on in the second half, but never regained the lead, and Northwestern gradually built an advantage throughout the third and fourth quarters.
By the time the buzzer sounded, the game was down by four points, with the Eagles winning 62-51.
MLC (2-7) hosts North Central College on Saturday.