New Ulm, MN - The Martin Luther College men's basketball team had a chance to send their season-opening game to overtime on the final possession against Rockford but were unable to convert as Benjamin Pearson had a look from 3-point territory. As a result, Rockford came away with the win 83-80.
 
MLC lost to Rockford 96-70 last season but gave the Regents all that they could handle on Friday. The game featured a lot of momentum swings, especially in the last 10 minutes of action. Adam Loberger gave MLC their first lead of the ball game when he completed an old-fashioned three-point play to pump up the crowd. The freshman hit multiple big shots throughout the game an kept the Knights in it scoring 24 of MLC's 35 points in the first half.
 
The Regents shot well in the first half and had good ball movement within their offense to take the lead. Rockford extended its 41-35 halftime lead to double digits early on in the second half.

MLC didn't quit though and hung around enough to go on a 16-5 to take the lead 66-65. The Regents tied it up 73-73, but Benjamin Vasold gave the Knights back the lead 76-73 on a corner 3-pointer off the drive from Pearson. From there, the Regents put together a few shots near the basket and made some free throws to put themselves ahead again in the final seconds. Before Pearson's last shot, the Knights also had an opportunity to tie it up when Luke Fix made a shot down low. However, Fix missed the free throw and Rockford put it away with a pair of free throws.

Despite the loss, MLC showed a lot of grit to come back in the second half with the chance to win.

Rockford's two big men, Micah Swanson (13 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists) and Cooper Jackson (19 points, 6 rebounds), used their size and strength near the basket to contribute to the majority of Rockford's 38 points in the paint. Tre Miller also finished with 19 points to lead their backcourt.

Loberger had a monster debut finishing with 38 points and five rebounds on 45 percent shooting from the field. Pearson had 16 points, five assists, and six boards for the Knights and both freshmen hit eight free throws.

MLC (0-1) will head on the road to play Saint Mary's (MN) on Tuesday, November 12, at 7 p.m.