NEW ULM, Minn. - The Martin Luther College men's basketball team started strong, but struggled in the second half of a 73-58 loss to Macalester on Tuesday.

The Knights were tough on the defensive end in the first half, holding the Scots to 34.4 percent from the field and 25.0 percent (4-16) from beyond the three-point arc on the way to a 33-29 lead at the half.

The second half was a different story, as Macalester made five of 10 attempts from downtown and shot 48.4 percent from the field, while the Knights struggled to keep pace on the other end. 

The Scots erased their halftime deficit in the opening minute out of the break, and the Knights scored only 10 points in the first 11 minutes of the second half as Macalester built a lead into double digits for the first time at 53-43.

MLC was able to cut that deficit back down to six with under seven minutes to play, but Macalester held on down the stretch to secure the win.

Joseph Hirsch led MLC with 11 points to go with four assists. Ezra Blumer joined him in double figures with 10 points, while Jack Heichelbech led the team with nine rebounds to go with nine points.

MLC fell to 0-3 on the season in defeat, while Macalester improved to 2-0 with the win.

The Knights will return to action on Saturday, November 13, when they travel to Concordia-Moorhead for a game scheduled to tip off at 3:00 p.m.