NEW ULM, Minn. - The Martin Luther College women's basketball team played Bethany Lutheran College tough for three quarters before running out of gas in the final period of a 97-75 loss on Saturday.

The Knights played their best offensive game of the season against a BLC team expected to repeat as UMAC champions, setting new season highs for points (75), three-point field goals (12), field goal percentage (40.6) and three-point percentage (46.2).

MLC won the opening quarter 20-19, but the Vikings came back with a strong second quarter to take a 44-38 lead into halftime.

The Knights came out fighting in the third quarter, outscoring the Vikings 21-20 and shooting 53.3 percent from the field while making four of seven attempts from beyond the three-point arc to cut the deficit to five (64-59) entering the fourth quarter. 

In the final stanza, the Vikings were able to break free, shooting 57.9 percent from the field while holding the Knights to 27.3 percent on the other end as they secured the win.

MLC outscored BLC 36-12 from beyond the arc, but the Vikings countered with a 60-22 advantage in points in the paint. BLC also outscored the Knights 18-7 from the free throw line.

Kortney Behnke led MLC with 18 points. Erika Gosch (13 points) and Jordyn Heckendorf (12) joined her in double figures, while Heckendorf also dished out a team-best six assists. 

MLC fell to 3-9 on the season and 1-2 in UMAC play in defeat. BLC improved to 8-6 overall and 3-0 in league play with the win.

The Knights will return to action on Tuesday, January 11, when they host Maranatha Baptist University in non-conference action. That game is scheduled to tip off at 5:00 p.m.