NEW ULM, Minn. - The Martin Luther College women's basketball team couldn't slow down the Cougars of University of Minnesota Morris in a 75-38 loss on Wednesday.

The Cougars took the lead early and never relinquished it, outscoring the Knights 22-9 in the first quarter and outscoring MLC in each of the four periods on the way to the win.

UMM shot 45.0 percent from the field thanks to a strong game in the paint. MLC had no answer inside for Abby Van Kempen and Kendra Raths, who combined for 43 points on 15-26 shooting from the floor.

The Knights held the Cougars to 1-16 from beyond the three-point arc, but shot just 26.0 percent from the field on the offensive end.

Cassandra Rose led MLC with a career-high 17 points and five rebounds. Emily Witkowski added nine points, while Samantha Paul led the team with seven rebounds.

MLC fell to 1-21 on the season and 1-13 in UMAC play in defeat. UMM improved to 14-8 overall and 10-3 in league play with the win.

The Knights will return to action on Saturday, February 9, when they travel to Maranatha Baptist for a game scheduled to tip off at 1 p.m.