MORRIS, Minn. - The Martin Luther College women's basketball team was unable to overcome a slow first half in a 74-59 loss at Minnesota Morris on Wednesday.

The Cougars opened the game with a 19-15 lead after the first quarter, but took control of the game in the second quarter by out-scoring the Knights 25-10 to take a 44-25 lead into halftime.

MLC outscored UMM in each of the final two quarters, but was unable to cut the deficit back into single digits to make on last run as the Cougars finished off the win.

UMM shot 45.9 percent from the field and made eight of 22 three-point field goal attempts in the win. MLC finished the game shooting 31.5 percent overall, but shot 8-19 from downtown.

Grace Schultz led MLC with 11 points to go with five rebounds and three steals. Her three steals helped her set a new MLC single-season record for steals with 85 this season, breaking the previous record of 84 set by Emma Babinec during the 2005-06 season.

Hailey Johnson added 10 points, while the Knights received strong contributions off the bench from Cassandra Anklam, Kati Aguilar and Sydney Cody. Anklam finished with 10 points, while Cody and Aguilar each scored eight points.

MLC fell to 5-18 on the season and 3-11 in UMAC play in defeat. UMM improved to 10-12 overall and 9-4 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 7:30 p.m.