NEW ULM, Minn. - The Martin Luther College women's basketball team lost 80-67 to UMAC-leading Northwestern on Saturday.

The Knights struggled against the Eagles' match-up zone defense in three games last season, but shot much better Saturday. MLC shot 40.3 percent from the field, and made seven of 20 attempts from beyond the three-point arc for the game. 

Mariah Schoof was the shooting star for the Knights, making six of her nine attempts from downtown on the way to a team-high 18 points (all of which came in the second half).

UNW jumped out to a quick start, building a 21-7 lead in the first quarter, and ending the opening period with a 24-14 edge after an Erin Schmeling buzzer-beater.

The Knights cut the deficit to eight (40-32) heading into the half, but UNW was able to build it back to nine heading into the final quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the Eagles were able to build the lead into double digits, and then hold off the Knights down the stretch to finish off the win.

MLC finished with four players in double figures in scoring, led by Schoof's 18 points. Schmeling added 13 points to go with seven assists, while Leah Nass and Moriah Hackbarth added 12 and ten points, respectively. 

The Knights fell to 6-7 on the season and 3-3 in league play in defeat, while UNW improved to 11-3 overall and 6-0 in the UMAC with the win.

MLC will return to action on Friday, January 15, when it hosts Crown College in a game scheduled to tip off at 7:30 p.m.