MINNEAPOLIS - The Martin Luther College women's basketball team lost 86-71 at North Central University (NCU) on Friday.

The Rams offense proved too much for the Knights as they shot 50.0 percent or better in each of the first three quarters, including 66.7 percent from the field in the second quarter on the way to a 48-23 halftime lead.

After a slow start on offense, the Knights shot 58.1 percent in the second half as they outscored the Rams 48-38 in the final two periods, but it was too late to overcome the early deficit. 

MLC finished the game shooting 45.2 percent overall and 36.0 percent (9-25) from beyond the three-point line, but NCU's made nine of 20 attempts from downtown (45.0 percent) and shot 53.4 percent for the game.

The Rams also made the Knights pay for their mistakes, outscoring them 29-12 in points off turnovers, while also winning the battle in the paint 42-28.

Jordyn Heckendorf was the lone MLC player in double figures with 16 points on 6-10 shooting. Maya Price and Lisa Hoffer each finished with eight points off the bench.

The Knights fell to 8-16 on the season and 4-9 in UMAC play in defeat. NCU improved to 21-3 overall and 10-3 in league play with the win.

MLC will return to action tomorrow (Saturday, February 19) when it travels to Northwestern for a game scheduled to start at 3:00 p.m.