MILWAUKEE - The Martin Luther College women's basketball team earned its first win of the season by the score of 82-65 against Finlandia University on Saturday at the Paul F. Knueppel Classic hosted by Wisconsin Lutheran College.

The Knights held a 33-31 halftime lead, but began to pull away in the second half.

MLC shot 55.6 percent from the field after halftime, out-scoring the Lions 25-17 in the third quarter, and 24-17 in the fourth. The Knights built the lead as big as 20 points early in the fourth quarter before cruising to the win down the stretch.

After struggling with turnovers in the first two games of the season, MLC committed only 14 turnovers Saturday, and forced 24 Finlandia miscues on the defensive end of the court.

The Knights also took advantage of their size and depth up front, outscoring the Lions 17-3 in second-chance points.

Five MLC players scored in double figures, led by 17 points off the bench for Jade St. Germaine. St. Germaine made eight of 12 attempts from the field, and also grabbed six rebounds. At the conclusion of the tournament, St. Germaine was named to the All-Tournament team.

Erin Schmeling scored 13 points for the Knights. Mariah Schoof added 12 points to go with a team-best five assists, while Moriah Hackbarth and Grace Schultz added 11 and ten points, respectively.

MLC improved its record to 1-2 on the season with the win, while FU fell to 0-4 in defeat.

The Knights will return to action on Monday, November 23, when they host Saint Benedict in a game scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m.