NEW ULM, Minn. - The Martin Luther College men's basketball team closed the first half of UMAC play with a 68-65 loss to Minnesota Morris on Wednesday.

The Cougars came out of a physical first half with a 28-25 lead, but the two teams traded the lead several times to start the second half. 

UMM took control with 12:29 to play as it took the lead for the final time, and build that lead as big as eight points heading down the stretch.

MLC had a chance to tie the game in the final seconds, but a Micah Kieselhorst three-pointer bounced off the rim and the Knights were unable to get off another chance.

UMM shot 38.2 percent from the field for the game, but was able to get going from beyond the arc in the second with five three-pointers and outscored MLC 24-15 from downtown for the game.

MLC out-rebounded the Cougars 49-30 overall and 20-9 on the offensive glass, but only held a one-point edge (14-13) in second-chance points. 

Ethan Eisenmann led MLC with 12 points. Ian Paulsen added seven points, 14 rebounds and six assists. Kieselshorst led the Knights' reserves with eight points.

MLC fell to 4-12 on the season and 1-7 in UMAC play in defeat. UMM improved to 5-11 overall and 2-6 in league play with the win.

The Knights will return to action on Saturday, January 25, when they travel to St. Scholastica for a game scheduled to start at 3 p.m.