Ashland, WI - The Martin Luther College men's basketball team played its final game of the season and its last-ever meeting against Northland College after it was reported earlier this week that Northland would be closing its doors after the school year. The Knights wrapped up their final matchup with them by defeating the Lumberjacks 65-55 on Saturday. 

Neither team shot the ball well, but MLC received a lift from Benjamin Pearson, who recorded his sixth double-double of the season, finishing the game with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and three steals.

MLC went up by as many as 13 points with just under 6:30 remaining in the first half, but the Lumberjacks ended the half on a 17-7 run to cut it to 35-32 at intermission.

Northland would get within one point several times to start the second half, but MLC never allowed them to capture the lead and left with the 10-point victory.

Two main areas where MLC gained a clear advantage in points off turnovers (26-7) and 2nd chance points (17-2). MLC kept many possessions alive by grabbing a season-high 56 rebounds, with 25 of them coming off of the offensive glass.

Joining Pearson, was Adam Loberger, who finished with 19 points and six boards, while Benjamin Vasold led the Knights with in steals (4).

MLC finishes the 2024-25 season with an 8-17 overall, 3-11 UMAC record which ties for the most wins in the MLC men's basketball program since the 2010-11 season.