MANKATO, Minn. - The Martin Luther College men's basketball team was unable to slow down the Bethany Lutheran College (BLC) Vikings in a 97-70 defeat in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) action on Monday.

The Knights held an early 16-12 lead near the midway point of the first half, but BLC took command with a 24-4 run on the way to a 49-25 halftime lead. 

The second half opened with more of the same as the Vikings pushed the leader higher in the opening minutes, but MLC was able to cut the deficit down to 14 points in the final minutes before the Vikings finished the game with a 15-2 run to secure the win.

The Vikings controlled the game in all areas, shooting 47.3 percent from the field while holding MLC to 35.4 percent for the game. BLC also out-rebounded the Knights 59-39 and out-scored MLC 18-8 from the free throw line.

Jack Heichelbech led MLC with 18 points. Jake Kieselhorst shot 7-8 from the field on the way to 16 points, while Joey Behm joined them in double figures with 12 points to go with five rebounds.

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

The Knights will return to action on Thursday, February 4, when they travel to Minnesota Morris for a game scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m.