New Ulm, MN - On Friday evening, the MLC men's basketball team tipped off its 2025-26 season with a non-conference home game against Augsburg. The Knights played well enough to win and were closing in on their first win in school history over the Auggies until Augsburg went on a 14-4 run in the final minute of action to secure a massive comeback over the Knights
91-89. Augsburg earned the win with 0.8 seconds left on the clock after a 3-pointer from Benjamin Semanko from the corner after the freshman grabbed his own rebound off a missed free throw.
Leading up to the final shot, Augsburg forced MLC into three crucial turnovers as they applied full-court pressure on the Knights. 12 of the Auggies' 14 points in their run came from beyond the arc as Augsburg finished the night shooting almost 43 percent from deep. MLC also shot the ball well throughout the game, shooting a 41 percent clip from 3, while also going 53 percent from the floor.
The game featured 14 lead changes and nine ties and was back and forth throughout all 40 minutes of play.
Adam Loberger and
Ethan Kjenstad knocked down consecutive 3-pointers to give the Knights a 72-71 lead with 5:17 remaining. From there, MLC looked poised to avenge their double-digit loss to the Auggies from a season ago and had multiple moments where the game appeared that it was going to go in their favor, but Augsburg maintained its composure and intensity on the defensive end and hit timely shots down the stretch.
MLC had a balanced scoring attack from its lineup with six players reaching double figures. Loberger led all scorers in the game with 26 points on 67 percent shooting from the field. The Knights' backcourt of
Benjamin Pearson (14 points, 10 rebounds) and
Benjamin Vasold (12 points, 4 assists) also made big plays to keep the Knights with a chance to win.
Trey Lauber recorded 14 points and seven rebounds and hit three 3-pointers, while
Luke Fix collected 12 points and five boards. Senior
Ethan Kjenstad finished with 11 points and seven rebounds.
MLC will look to bounce back with a home win on Tuesday, November 11, when they host St. Mary's (MN) for a 7 p.m. game.
