NEW ULM, Minn. - The Martin Luther College women's basketball team lost its home opener 65-57 on Monday against Macalester.

The Knights started strong with a 14-13 lead after the first quarter, but the Scots started to get their offense going in the second period, scoring 26 points on the way to a 39-31 halftime lead.

MLC cut the deficit to four midway through the third quarter, but went cold from the field, scoring only four points in a stretch that covered more than 13 minutes as the Scots built the lead up to 15 points at 58-43 before Mariah Schoof's three-pointer with 2:38 to play in the fourth quarter. The Knights cut the deficit to single digits with just over one minute left, but were unable to get closer than eight points the rest of the way.

Macalester finished the game shooting 47.4 percent, while the Knights shot 32.8 percent overall. MLC held a 16-6 edge at the foul line, but were outscored at the three-point line (15-9) and in the paint (32-26).

Grace Schultz led MLC with 15 points to go with three steals, two blocks and three assists. Jade St. Germaine added 14 points and a team-best 11 rebounds and three steals.  Hailey Johnson and Mariah Schoof each finished wth nine points. 

The Knights fell to 0-4 on the season in defeat, while the Scots improved to 2-1 with the win.

MLC will return to action on Saturday, December 3, when it hosts Bethany Lutheran in the UMAC opener. That game is scheduled to tip off at 3 p.m.