NEW ULM, Minn. – The Martin Luther College men's basketball team was unable to slow down the Minnesota Morris offense in a 100-74 loss Saturday.
 
The Knights, coming off a double-overtime defeat Friday night, came out strong and led 22-21 with 12:41 to play in the first half, but watched as the Cougars took control of the game with a 17-2 run. That 14-point edge would build to 23 points at the half as the Cougars went into the locker room with a 57-34 edge.
 
MLC battled in the second half, but weren't able to string together enough stops to make a run at the lead. T.J. Babinec had a big second half, scoring 21 of his game (and career) high 34 points after the break.
 
Babinec finished with eight three-point field goals, tying the single-game MLC record. His shot 12-22 overall, and 8-15 from beyond the arc.
 
Todd Brassow added 23 points, but was defended well by the Cougars, and forced to take 23 shots to get those points.
 
The Cougars were led by CD Douglas, who scored 31 points and added nine assists as the Knights struggled to keep him out of the paint throughout the game.
 
MLC fell to 1-14 on the season and 1-7 in UMAC play in defeat. UMM improved its record to 8-7 overall and 5-3 in UMAC play with the win.
 
The Knights will return to action on Friday, January 22, when they travel to UW-Superior. That game is scheduled to tip off at 5:30 p.m.