MANKATO, Minn. - The Martin Luther College women's basketball team lost 85-71 at Bethany Lutheran College on Wednesday.

Seniors Jade St. Germaine and Grace Schultz each put together strong performances for the Knights, combining for 51 points on 20-34 shooting and 22 rebounds.

MLC opened with a 25-18 lead after the first quarter thanks to 13 points from Schultz, but the Vikings were able to take control of the game in the second quarter as they outscored MLC 27-9 on the way to a 45-34 halftime lead.

The Vikings held onto their double-digit lead following a high-scoring third quarter, and then an early 5-0 run to open the final period helped them put the Knights away down the stretch.

MLC finished the game shooting 40.3 percent from the field, but made only four of 25 attempts from beyond the three-point arc. BLC shot 40.9 percent from the field, but outscored MLC 25-13 at the free throw line and shot 6-13 from three-point range.

Schultz led all players and tied a career high with 26 points to go with nine rebounds, five assists and three steals. St. Germaine finished with 25 points and 13 rebounds for the Knights.

MLC fell to 5-14 overall and 3-7 in UMAC play in defeat. BLC improved to 15-4 on the season and 8-2 in league play with the win.

The Knights will return to action on Saturday, January 27, when they host UW-Superior in a game scheduled to tip off at 5 p.m.