NEW ULM, Minn. - The Martin Luther College women's basketball team dropped its Saturday non-conference contest against Finlandia 79-61.

The Knights started strong, holding an 18-17 lead after the first quarter and carrying that lead for much of the second quarter until a late first half run by the Lions gave Finlandia a 32-29 halftime edge. 

The Lions would pick up the pressure in the third quarter, forcing turnovers with their full court press while holding MLC to 33.3 percent for the quarter as they pushed the lead to 54-46 heading into the final period.

In the fourth quarter, both teams were able to get to the foul line, but the Lions did a better job finishing places before the whistles as they went 7-18 from the field compared to 3-13 for MLC down the stretch on the way to the win.

The difference in the game was in the paint, where Finlandia out-scored MLC 40-20 for the game. The Lions also took advantage of MLC mistakes with 23 points off turnovers.

Emily Witkowski went 10-11 from the free throw line on the way to a team-best 14 points for MLC. Cassandra Rose added 10 points off the bench, while Emma Nelson added nine points to go with eight rebounds for the Knights. 

MLC fell to 1-4 on the season in defeat, while Finlandia improved to 1-0 with the win.

The Knights will return to action on Thursday, February 11, when they travel to Crown College for a game scheduled to start at 7 p.m.