New Ulm, MN - The MLC men's basketball team played its UMAC opener on Wednesday night when they took on Minnesota Morris at home. MLC played hard and put up over 90 points, but couldn't overcome a hot shooting game from the Cougars as they beat the Knights 106-91. 

MLC shot well from the floor in the first half, going 50 percent from the field and nearly 42 percent from beyond the arc. However, they would have no answer for the Cougars outside shooting with Kaden Piper putting up 29 points in the first half. The entire Cougars shot nearly 62 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes to take a 62-43 lead at the break.

In the second half, the Knights did their best to keep pace with the Cougars, but Minnesota Morris would not let up from the field and shot 54.5 percent. In addition to Pieper's 45 points, he got support from five other players on the squad with double figures. In the second half, Piper received a lift from Matt Thompson, who showed off his athleticism in the open floor, along with Carvin Fish, who finished with 20 points.

MLC did outscore Minnesota Morris in the paint 48-46 and from the charity stripe 77.8. Adam Loberger had a team high 27 points, while Benjamin Pearson scored 14 points and led the Knights with nine rebounds. Fellow guard Benjamin Vasold also had 14 points, while Thomas Balge (13 points) and Ethan Kjenstad (12 points) also reached double figures.

MLC will look to get its first conference win on Saturday when they host the Polars from Crown College at 2:45 p.m.