New Ulm, MN - The MLC men's basketball team played another MIAC school in non-conference play on Monday evening when they went up to Macalester College. The Knights played the Scots well, holding their own for most of the contest before falling 85-80.

MLC stuck around in the first half and never let the game get out of hand as their biggest deficit was 10 points with 13:33 on the clock. MLC grabbed its first lead of the game as Adam Loberger made a layup to give MLC a 34-33 lead with 1:12 left. Macalester answered with a 3-pointer with 39 seconds in the half and entered halftime up 36-34.

To start the second half, the Knights tied it on several occasions, including when Benjamin Pearson knocked down a 3-pointer off a pass from Benjamin Vasold. However, MLC would not tie or regain the lead after that moment as the Scots got their shots to fall and hit a pair of 3-pointers, which ultimately led to another 10-point advantage.

MLC made a final attempt at a comeback and cut it to 1 and 2-point deficits on a few possessions, but Macalester sealed up the win by making its free throws down the stretch.

Macalester outscored MLC 34-13 in bench points, but the Knights had the upper hand inside the key, outscoring the Scots 48-32.

Pearson paced the Knights in points (24) and rebounds (7), while shooting 75 percent from the field. Loberger finished with another 20-point performance, while Thomas Balge reached double figures (11 points) in 16 minutes on the court.

MLC will host Bethel University on Saturday, December 13, at 4 p.m.