MORRIS, Minn. - The Martin Luther College women's basketball team overcame a fourth quarter deficit to win its opening round game in the UMAC Postseason Tournament 67-66 at Minnesota Morris on Monday.

The Knights trailed 59-46 with 7:29 to play in the fourth quarter, but finished the game with a 21-7 run, ending with a game-winning lay-up by Jade St. Germaine with seven seconds to play.

MLC struggled with turnovers early as UMM raced to an 18-10 lead after one quarter. The Knights committed nine turnovers in the quarter, but were able to correct issue that as they committed only six miscues the rest of the way.

The Knights cut the deficit to 32-29 at the half, and took their first lead of the game early in the third quarter, but the Cougars took control with a 12-3 run to end the quarter with a 54-46 advantage. 

MLC went through a scoring drought of more than eight minutes without a field goal to end the third period and start the fourth, but got back into the game thanks to great pressure defense on the perimeter from Jessica Friebe, Erin Schmeling and Grace Schultz. 

The lead changed three times in the final minute, with Leah Nass giving MLC a 65-64 edge with a four-point possession following an intentional foul and lay-up by the senior forward. The Cougars took the lead back with 25 seconds to play, but St. Germaine's driving lay-up in the final seconds gave the Knights the lead for good.

MLC struggled from the outside, making just two of 19 attempts from beyond the three-point arc, but dominated inside, outscoring UMM 46-24 in the paint.

St. Germaine led MLC with 16 points off the bench, shooting 7-11 from the field. Nass was a force down low, as well, scoring 14 points to go with 11 rebounds, four blocks and four steals. Schultz added eight points, and made four of her final six shots after struggling to start the game.

The Knights improved to 13-13 on the season with the win, and advance to play UW-Superior in the semi-final round of the conference tournament on Wednesday (February 24). That game is scheduled to tip off at 7:30 p.m.