Mankato, MN - The Martin Luther College women's basketball team dropped its first game back in the New Year, falling to Bethany Lutheran College on Saturday afternoon by a final score of 79-58.

The women played in two exhibition games prior to the matchup with their rival to get back into the swing of things. 

On Saturday, MLC received two standout performances from Lauren Paulsen and Emma Nelson. Paulsen was all over the stat sheet, leading the Knights points (22), steals (5), and blocks (2) to go along with 10 rebounds, giving her a second double-double performance this season. Nelson also secured another double-double in the frontcourt and finished with 13 points and a team-high 11 boards. The senior also shot 6-of-12 from the floor on 50 percent shooting.

Bethany had four players finish in double figures and had a solid amount of depth to help keep their distance from an MLC comeback. The Vikings outscored the Knights in bench points 23-14 and also made plays in transition, outscoring MLC 18-4 in that area.

As a team, MLC shot 22-of-65 (33.8 percent) from the field, while Bethany shot 28-of-61 (45.9 percent).

The Knights (3-10, 0-3) will have a chance to split their season series with Bethany come January 27, but will first turn their attention to Crown, when they face the Polars on Friday, January 12. Tip off is slated to start at 5:30 p.m. in St. Bonifacius, MN.