ST. PAUL - The Martin Luther College men's basketball team fought throughout the game, but could not overtake second-seed Northwestern in a 71-60 defeat in Thursday's opening round of the UMAC Postseason Tournament.

After UNW took a 38-31 lead into the half, the Knights battled back to cut their deficit to one point at 44-43 with 13:35 left to play.

The Eagles took control back from there with an 11-0 run as they held the Knights scoreless for nearly four minutes before a three-point play by Jack Heichelbech was finally able to break the streak.

MLC hung around the rest of the way, cutting the deficit to eight points in the final minutes, but UNW was too strong down the stretch and held on for the win.

The two teams were similar in many statistical areas, but the Eagles were a bit more efficient on the offensive end. UNW shot 42.9 percent from the field compared to 37.7 for the Knights, and also out-scored MLC 13-3 from the free throw line. 

Heichelbech finished as the Knights' leading scorer with 15 points. Joseph Hirsch joined him in double figures with 14 points, while Caleb Westra grabbed a team-high seven rebounds

MLC finished its season with a 2-11 record following the loss. UNW improved to 11-3 on the season with the win, and advanced to Saturday's semi-final round of the tournament.