NEW ULM, Minn. - The Martin Luther College men's basketball team was unable to overcome a cold-shooting performance in a 64-56 loss to Northland College on Saturday.

The Knights opened the game with an 8-1 run, but the Lumberjacks held MLC without a point in the final seven minutes of the first half to take a 28-26 lead into the locker room.

MLC took the lead back midway through the second half, but Northland was able to close strong while the Knights went cold from the field the rest of the way.

The Knights made two of their first four three-point field goal attempts, but missed their last 19 attempts from downtown (including 0-11 in the second half). Overall, the Knights shot 38.6 percent from the field compared to 39.0 percent for Northland.

Ian Paulsen and Richard Eckmann led the Knights with 12 points apiece. Paulsen also added a team-high 10 rebounds and three blocks.

MLC fell to 3-5 on the season and 1-1 in UMAC play in defeat. The Lumberjacks improved to 3-5 overall and 1-0 in league play with the win.

The Knights will return to action on Wednesday, December 12, when they travel to Bethany Lutheran for a game scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.