NEW ULM, Minn. - The Martin Luther College men's basketball team had chances down the stretch, but fell short in an 85-77 loss to St. Scholastica in the conference opener Friday night.

The Knights jumped out to a quick start, building a 27-20 lead until the Saints charged back with a 14-0 run over a stretch of more than five minutes on the way to a 44-34 CSS halftime edge.

MLC would battle back, however, with a 17-5 run to start the second half to take a one-point lead at 51-50 with 13:38 to play after a Josh VonDeylen jumper.

The teams traded baskets down the stretch, with CSS building its lead back up as high as ten points with 5:12 to play, but MLC continued to fight. T.J. Babinec made a lay-up to cut the deficit to 77-75 with 1:24 left in the game, and the Knights had a chance to tie or take the lead in the final minute, but weren't able to get a shot away, allowing the Saints to close out the game at the free throw line in the final minute.

The Knights forced 20 turnovers in the game, but the Saints lived at the foul line, out-scoring MLC 26-9 at the charity stripe. MLC finished shot 42.3 percent from the field, and attempted 17 more field goals than the Saints, but weren't able to make up the difference at the line.

Four MLC players finished in double figures, led by 20 from Todd Brassow. Michael Paulsen and Babinec each finished with 16 points, while Josh Rathje scored 15 points and finished with a game-high seven assists.

MLC fell to 0-6 on the season and 0-1 in league play in defeat. CSS improved to 3-2 overall and 1-0 with the win.

The Knights will return to action tomorrow (Saturday, December 5) when they host UW-Superior. That game is scheduled to tip off at 3 p.m.