ST. PAUL - The Martin Luther College men's basketball season came to an end with a 74-59 loss at Northwestern (Minn.) in Saturday's season finale.

The Knights jumped out to an early 16-6 lead, but the Eagles raced into the lead with a 14-0 run on the way to a 33-28 halftime edge. 

The Eagles pushed the lead into double figures early in the second half with the help of three three-pointers. MLC cut the lead back into single digits with just over six minutes to play in regulation, but UNW put the game away with one last run to secure the win.

UNW entered the game averaging only 5.7 three-point field goals per game for the season, but shot 11-26 from downtown on Saturday against MLC's zone defense. The Knights were unable to hit from the outside, making only four of 17 attempts from three-point range.

Richard Eckmann was the Knights' leading scorer with 21 points on 8-12 shooting from the field (including 3-6 from three-point range). Those 21 points are a new career high for the sophomore forward, who finished the season with six straight games with at least 13 points.

Austin DeNoyer joined Eckmann in double figures with 11 points. Ian Paulsen finished with six rebounds and three assists to go with eight points.

MLC finished the season 4-21 overall and 2-14 in UMAC play following the defeat. UNW improved to 13-12 on the season and 11-5 in league play with the win.