NEW ULM, Minn. - The Martin Luther College women's basketball team was unable to slow down first-place UW-Superior in an 87-71 loss on Saturday.

The Yellowjackets entered the game as the two-time defending UMAC champions and unbeaten in league play, and quickly showed why with a 26-13 first quarter run to take an early lead.

UWS pushed its lead to 43-26 at halftime, but MLC battled back in the second half. The Knights scored 23 third quarter points and cut the deficit to 14 points in the final period before the Yellowjackets put the game away.

The Knights shot 36.6 percent from the field and forced 20 UWS turnovers, but the Yellowjackets shot 48.6 percent overall and also out-rebounded MLC 49-40 for the game. 

Grace Schultz led MLC with 24 points to go with 11 rebounds, four assists and four steals. This marked Schultz's eight double-double of the season, and also the third straight game in which she has scored at least 24 points. 

Jade St. Germaine and Emily Witkowski each finished with 15 points for MLC. St. Germaine also added eight rebounds. 

MLC fell to 5-15 overall and 3-8 in UMAC play in defeat. UWS improved to 16-4 on the season and 11-0 in league play.

The Knights will return to action on Wednesday, January 31, when they host North Central in a game scheduled to tip off at 7:30 p.m.