Storm, Lake Iowa - The MLC women's basketball team squared off for their final contest before winter break against the Buena Vista Beavers on Friday evening. The Knights looked to snap a 3-game losing streak and were up 14 on multiple occasions against Buena Vista in the third quarter. However, the Beavers turned up their defensive pressure and completed the comeback, defeating MLC 68-65.

    The Beavers got off to a fast start, using a 14-0 run to in the first quarter to take a 17-12 lead. The Knights combated that run with high percentage shots near the basket and walked into halftime with a 34-28 advantage. MLC would carry that momentum into the third quarter, where they would go out to a 44-30 lead, due to a pair of Lydia Feidt 3-pointers just under the 7:00 minute mark.

    The Knights' double-digit lead would soon disappear towards at the start of the fourth quarter when Buena Vista dialed up the defensive press, forcing MLC into bad passes and poor shot selection. The Beavers would tie the game 51-51 at the 7:09 mark of the fourth quarter and the Knights would later answer to reclaim the lead 60-57 after a Lauren Paulsen 3-point jump shot at the 4:06 mark. The two squads would trade baskets in the final couple minutes, but Buena Vista took a 65-63 lead with a Kayley Dresback jumper at the 1:34 mark. The Knights would have one final opportunity to tie the game back up and force an overtime period, but were unable to do so after Jordyn Heckendorf missed a 3-pointer.

Despite the loss for MLC, the Knights gained a nice performance from Feidt, who looked back to her early season form offensively. The first-year guard led all MLC players in scoring with 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the field, while also snagging seven rebounds. Emma Nelson also put up another strong game with 15 points and seven rebounds.

MLC goes to (4-6,0-2) on the season and will get a much needed break, as they will return to action with a home game against Nebraska Wesleyan on (Wednesday, January 4th) of the new year.