NEW ULM, Minn. - The Martin Luther College men's basketball lost its UMAC opener on Wednesday to Bethany Lutheran College by the score of 85-68.

The Vikings, picked to win the UMAC by the coaches in the preseason, took an early lead, but were unable to pull away as the Knights battled to a 44-37 halftime deficit.

MLC continued to fight and kept within striking distance, but BLC was too much to overcome in the second half as it slowly pulled away.

The Knights forced the Vikings into a perimeter shooting team for much of the game. BLC attempted 40 three-pointers in the game, making nine of them, but also took advantage of its chances inside with 46 points in the paint compared to 32 for the Knights.

Vikings' center Trenton Krueger was a force inside, leading all players in points (22) and rebounds (14).

Ian Paulsen was the Knights' high-scorer with 20 points to go with eight rebounds in his first start of the season. Austin DeNoyer added 10 points off the bench, while Jack Heichelbech scored nine points.

MLC fell to 1-3 on the season and 0-1 in UMAC play in defeat. BLC improved to 4-2 overall and 1-0 in league play with the win.

The Knights will return to action on Saturday, December 7, when they host Northwestern-St. Paul in a game scheduled to start at 3 p.m.