NEW ULM, Minn. - The Martin Luther College men's basketball team was unable to keep with a scorching-hot North Central team in an 87-74 loss Friday.

The Rams made 19 three-pointers in the game, with 13 of those coming in the first half. NCU started the game 11-12 from distance, including a stretch of nine consecutive makes in the first half. 

The Rams led 15-13 with 14:04 to play in the first half, and blew the game open with an 18-3 run over the next 2:52, with all 18 points coming off six consecutive three-point field goals during that stretch.

Todd Brassow kept the Knights in the game a best he could, scoring 24 points in the first half on 10-15 shooting from the field, but MLC still trailed 53-37 at the break.

The Rams cooled down a bit in the second half, but still made six three-pointers in the second stanza to help keep the Knights from building any momentum. 

Brassow set a new career high with 34 points in the game, making 15 of 27 field goals (including two of four attempts from beyond the arc). 

T.J. Babinec added ten points for MLC, while Austin Eisenmann led all players with 11 rebounds.

The loss dropped MLC's record to 1-11 overall and 1-4 in UMAC play. NCU improved to 6-6 on the season and 5-0 in conference play with the win.

MLC will return to action tomorrow (Saturday, January 9) when it hosts Northwestern in a game scheduled to tip off at 3 p.m.