NEW ULM, Minn. - The Martin Luther College men's basketball team started well, but was unable to slow down Viterbo in the second half of an 86-55 loss Tuesday night.

The Knights got off to a hot start, as Todd Brassow helped the Knights to a 27-20 lead with 6:20 to play in the first half, but the V-Hawks held them scoreless the rest of the way as part of a 12-0 run to end the half. Brassow finished with 19 points in the half on 8-16 shooting.

MLC battled to open the second half, cutting the deficit to four points with 15:13 to play, but had no answer to the crisp ball movement, strong shooting, and size down low from Viterbo.

The V-Hawks shot 71.0 percent from the field in the second half, and also went 8-13 from beyond the three-point arc. For the game, Viterbo assisted on 30 of its 34 made field goals. It shot 57.6 percent overall, and made 14 of 29 three-point attempts (48.3 percent).

After starting the game well, the Knights finished at 35.1 percent from the field for the game.

Brassow was the leading MLC scorer with 23 points. Michael Paulsen added 15 points.

MLC fell to 1-17 on the season in defeat. Viterbo improved its record to 8-13 following the win.

The Knights will return to conference play on Saturday, January 30, when they host Bethany Lutheran College. That game is scheduled to tip off at 3 p.m.