New Ulm, MN - The MLC Knights battled Crown on Friday night. The Knights overcame a 10-point deficit at halftime tying the game at 51-51, but were unable to come away with a victory, falling to Crown 61-54.

    The Knights had a tough time getting shots to fall in the first half, going 5-of-26 from the field and 0-of-10 from 3-point territory. The Polars managed to get to the basket on dribble drives from their backcourt and jumped out to a 26-16 lead at the break. 
    
    MLC picked up some momentum in the third quarter, especially after a top of the key 3-pointer from Jordyn Heckendorf that came off an in bounds play. The shot cut the Knights' deficit to 8, making it 43-35 at the end of the third quarter. The Knights would then shoot 16 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, connecting on only three of them. However, those trio of 3-pointers came at a critical time, as the Knights evened the score at 51-51, highlighted by a Kortney Behnke 3-pointer off the backboard and an Emma Nelson triple off the dribble.

    Despite the MLC comeback, the Polars showed their composure in the final minutes and would break the tie with a layup from Isabelle Sager that came off a Madi Hecox drive to the basket. Crown then took advantage of MLC fouling a 3-point shooter and hit all three free-throws to seal the seven point win.

    Overall, the Knights played a gutsy performance and hung tough despite the poor shooting and the absence of key players Lydia Feidt and Lauren Paulsen. MLC was led by  Heckendorf's double-double (14 points, 14 rebounds). Crown received a big game from Madi Hecox who finished with 16 points and 8 rebounds.

    MLC (7-9,1-5) will look to regroup from the loss when they face UM-Morris on Saturday, January 21st at 2:45 p.m.