Staff photo by Steve Muscatello Minnesota Valley Lutheran’s Jace Marotz looks to pass the ball past a St. Croix Lutheran defender. For more photos of this event go to cu.nujournal.com

NEW ULM — The Minnesota Valley Lutheran Charger boys’ basketball fell in the MLC Tip-Off Tournament’s Black Division championship game 82-47 to the St. Croix Lutheran Crusaders Saturday at Martin Luther College.

MVL (2-1) struggled early in the first half, with turnovers in the offensive zone creating chances for St. Croix.

The Chargers opened up to an early 6-3 lead after the Crusaders hit a 3-point shot from beyond the line. Early defense by the Chargers created points from Matt Stein and Mason Cox in the beginning of the first half.

MVL’s Jake Kettner landed a defensive rebound and was credited with a block, before the Crusaders started hitting from 3-point land.

Cox led the Chargers with 6 points and three defensive rebounds in the first half, and Jace Marotz tallied 5 points with four rebounds.

The Crusaders mounted 41 points in the first half going 16 of 35 and hitting nine from 3-point range.

Garett Maag led the Crusaders at the half with 19 points, shooting 5 for 7 in 3-point range and had two defensive rebounds.

Going into the locker room at the end of the first half, the Crusaders led the Chargers 41-23.

MVL had five missed field goals and four turnovers in the first five minutes of the second half as St. Croix opened a commanding 61-25 lead.

Kettner added 8 points in the second half going 1 for 2 from the free throw line with 10 points total leading the Chargers.

MVL added 24 points in the second half, failing to gain any ground on St. Croix.

The Chargers were 20 of 50 from the floor and 4 of 12 from beyond the arc for a 40 percent shooting average. MVL hit 3 of 4 from the foul line with Ethan Schoof going 2 for 2 at the line.

The Crusaders shot 33 of 71, completing 12 from 3-point range for a total of 46 percent.

TaShawn Parker had 9 points and two rebounds, while Marotz ended with 5 points and 8 rebounds.

MVL will host Sleepy Eye at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday for a Tomahawk Conference matchup.