NEW ULM, Minn. - The Martin Luther College women's basketball team finished on the wrong side of a tough defensive battle against College of St. Scholastica in a 52-50 defeat on Wednesday.

Defense ruled the day in the first half, as the Knights overcame 17 turnovers in the first two periods to take a 23-20 halftime lead after holding the Saints to 24.0 percent shooting from the field.

The offense picked up for both teams in the third quarter, and while the Saints won the quarter, MLC still took a one-point lead at 40-39 into the final period.

The Saints held MLC scoreless for nearly five minutes to open the fourth quarter and built a six-point lead with under one minute to play. MLC fought back thanks to a 5-0 run in the final 35 seconds, but one last chance to tie the game ended in a turnover with one second to play to give CSS the win.

MLC shot 32.3 percent from the field for the game and finished with 25 turnovers. The Saints' offense picked up after the half as they shot 48.0 percent from the field and 45.5 percent from beyond the three-point arc in the final two quarters.

Jade St. Germaine played her best game of the season with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Grace Schultz added 15 points and 11 rebounds.

MLC fell to 4-9 on the season and 2-3 in UMAC play in defeat. CSS improved to 6-6 overall and 2-3 in league play with the win.

The Knights will return to action on Wednesday, January 10, when they host Minnesota Morris in a game scheduled to tip off at 7:30 p.m.