New Ulm, MN - The MLC women's basketball played its first of two games against Bethany Lutheran College, with tonight's contest being played in front of a packed and loud LSC gymnasium. In a game that featured seven lead changes and five ties, the Knights came up just short after rallying back to tie the game up 58-58 after Anna Kieselhorst knocked down a 3-pointer with eight seconds left on the clock. On the final possession, Bethany's Sheridan Kennedy scored the winning bucket on an offensive putback with only 1.2 seconds remaining to top MLC 60-58.

The first half was neck-in-neck as the Knights took a 14-13 lead through the first period. MLC then held the Vikings to just 15 percent shooting in the second quarter, but the Knights entered halftime with 12 turnovers, allowing Bethany to stick around with MLC up 25-24 at the break.

The Vikings got hot from beyond the arc in the third period with Morgan Hulke and Megan Wegner combining for five made 3-pointers to spark a 47-36 lead at the end of the quarter.

MLC fought back in the final 10 minutes, picking it up defensively on a full-court press. As a result, the Knights outscored Bethany 22-14 in the fourth and forced six turnovers from the Vikings down the stretch.

Kieselhorst led the way for MLC with 19 points on 50 percent shooting, seven rebounds, and four steals. Wilhelmina Wenz notched a double-double (15 points, 15 rebounds), and Ava Stein finished with 10 points. Lydia Feidt was a factor on defense again with four steals, including a couple of critical ones in the fourth quarter.

MLC will play again next Wednesday, January 28, at North Central at 5:30 p.m.