MORRIS, Minn. - The Martin Luther College men's basketball team was unable to keep pace with Minnesota Morris in the second half of a 100-64 loss on Wednesday.

The Knights battled foul trouble in the first half, but trailed by only eight points (46-38) heading into the break.

MLC cut the deficit to 48-43 with 18:05 to play in the game following an Austin DeNoyer three, but the Cougars responded with a 34-5 run over the next 13 minutes to put the game away. The Knights couldn't buy a basket during that stretch, shooting 2-23 from the field before a Nate Lindloff three-pointer with 5:02 to play finally ended the UMM run.

The Cougars finished the second half shooting 61.3 percent and went 7-12 from beyond the three-point arc. They also made nine of 11 attempts from the free throw line, and out-scored MLC 22-4 at the charity stripe for the game. 

MLC struggled from the field overall, shooting 33.8 percent for the game thanks to 25.8 percent shooting in the second half.

Richard Eckmann was the lone MLC player in double figures with 16 points. He also led the team with seven rebounds.

MLC dropped to 4-19 on the season and 2-12 in UMAC play with the loss. UMM improved to 10-12 overall and 8-5 in league play with the win.

The Knights will return to action on Wednesday, February 14, when they host Crown College in the home finale. That game is scheduled to tip off at 5:30 p.m.