NEW ULM, Minn. - The Martin Luther College men's basketball team lost its home opener to Bethel University by the score of 85-56.

The Knights played well to start the game and tied the game 23-23 with 7:40 to play in the first half, but Bethel closed the half with an 18-1 run to take a 41-24 lead into the break.

The Knights battled the Royals on the defensive end, but were unable get anything to fall from the outside as the Royals continued to build the lead the rest of the way.

MLC struggled from the outside throughout the game, making just six of 36 attempts from beyond the three-point arc. The Knights finished the game shooting 32.9 percent overall.

Ian Paulsen was the lone MLC player in double figures with 14 points to go with a team-high 13 rebounds, five assists and two blocks.

TJ Babinec and Joey Behm each added nine points. Richard Eckmann finished with eight points and six rebounds.

The Knights fell to 0-3 on the season in defeat. BU improved to 3-0 with the win.

MLC will return to action on Monday, November 27, when it hosts Viterbo in a game scheduled to tip off at 5:30 p.m.