New Ulm, MN - MLC men's basketball wrapped up the 2023 season by squaring off against the Northwestern Eagles of St. Paul. The Knights had previously lost to the Eagles 89-57 on January 13. The Knights looked to end their season with a third victory, but were unable to keep up with Northwestern as they fell 84-49. 

    The game started with the Knights honoring Ezra Blumer and Bryce Marohn for senior day. Blumer would finish his final game in college with 11 points and four rebounds to lead MLC, but more importantly, the senior never took a play off and would finish career off a 3-point field goal. The guard would get a final cheer from the crowd as he entered the bench for the last time as a Knight.

    Throughout the game, Northwestern would never trail and created their separation early on with their perimeter shooting, going (11-of-32) from deep on 34.4 percent. The Eagles' Kyle Kaemingk finished with 20 points and scored at all three levels of the court. As a team, MLC shot 25 percent from the field and it was evident that they ran out of gas from the first half. In addition to Blumer's send off, Marohn entered the game with about 6 minutes remaining and would get his senior moment with a nice iso 3-pointer from straight away.

    With the loss, MLC finished the season at (2-23,0-14) on the year, but put their best effort in every single game. The Knights received a great season from freshmen Thomas Balge and Ethan Kjenstad and they will continue to improve and develop ahead of next season. The frontcourt play from their forwards in Micah Kieselhorst and Seth Veers will also be there looking ahead in 2023-2024.