NORTHFIELD, Minn. - The Martin Luther College women's basketball team battled but was unable to finish strong in a 69-46 loss in Friday's season opener at Carleton College.

Carleton took control of the game early, breaking a 7-7 tie midway through the first quarter with a 20-2 run over a stretch of more than six minutes to take a 27-7 lead. 

MLC battled back, however, outscoring Carleton 21-8 over the final 7:46 of the second quarter to cut the halftime deficit to 35-30.

The Knights continued to hang around through the third quarter and trailed only 48-40 heading into the fourth quarter, but Carleton outscored MLC 21-6 in the final period to secure the win.

MLC started the game 8-20 from three-point range, but missed its last five attempts from downtown. MLC also battled Carleton to a stalemate on the glass, but 31 MLC turnovers against an aggressive Carleton zone that led to 29 points the other way proved to be the difference. 

Erika Gosch was one of six MLC players playing in their first collegiate game and scored 13 points with the help of four three-point field goals. Emily Witkowski also scored 13 points and added seven rebounds. Cassandra Rose finished with eight points off the bench.

MLC fell to 0-1 on the season in defeat, while Carleton opened the season 1-0 with the win.

The Knights will return to action tomorrow (Saturday, November 9) when they travel to Coe College for a game scheduled to start at 4 p.m.