NEW ULM, Minn. - The Martin Luther College men's basketball team was unable to hold on to a halftime lead in a 62-53 loss to Maranatha Baptist University on Saturday.

The Knights shot 29.7 percent from the field in the first half, but held the Sabercats to 27.3 percent from the field on the way to a 27-22 halftime lead.

MBU picked up the pace on both ends of the court in the second half, shooting 48.5 percent while holding the Knights to just eight field goals (24.2 percent) and forcing nine MLC turnovers. The Knights were held without a field goal for the first 6:41 of the second half as the Sabercats erased the halftime deficit and built a lead the Knights were never able to overcome the rest of the way.

Ian Paulsen led the way for MLC with 13 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks. He scored all 13 of his points in the first half before dealing with foul trouble in the second half. 

Richard Eckmann added 12 points and nine rebounds for the Knights.

MLC fell to 5-8 on the season in defeat. MBU improved to 5-4 with the win.

The Knights will return to action on Wednesday, January 9, when they travel to Minnesota Morris for a game scheduled to tip off at 7:15 p.m.