Staff photo by Steve Muscatello In this file photo from Nov. 27, 2017, MLC’s Grace Schultz (22) looks to take it to the rim against Gustavus at MLC.

NEW ULM — Haley Sandin’s 30 points paced Bethany Lutheran College past Martin Luther College 79-68 on Wednesday in an Upper Midwest Athletic Conference women’s basketball contest.

Sandin made 17 of 18 free throws for the game. That translated into 15 more points at the line for BLC, who won by 11 points.

BLC hit 25 of 29 free throws for 86.2 percent, while MLC hit 10 of 17 free throws for 58.8 percent.

“Whenever we started to get the momentum, Sandin went to the line,” MLC coach Dan Gawrisch said.

Gawrisch said the Knights lacked defensive intensity in the first quarter against a great scoring team. The Knights needed to be tougher defensively, but he was pleased with the fact that his team responded and finished well. The team played good offense (but not the best defense) in the first and third quarters.

Both squads played relatively even in the first quarter with the Knights holding a lead and there being one tie early.

BLC expanded its lead to 13 points late in the second quarter. MLC battled back going on a 5-0 run for a 43-33 Viking halftime advantage.

The Vikings led 58-38 midway through the third quarter. Emily Skrien hit a 3-point shot at the buzzer for BLC to give her team a 68-49 lead.

Sydney Cody canned a 3-pointer to pull MLC within 12 points late in the fourth quarter. Sandin hit 5 of 6 free throws to help the Vikings stay ahead.

MLC tried to mount a comeback, but it wasn’t enough.

Grace Schultz scored 21 points, and added 11 rebounds, four assists and five steals for MLC. Jade St. Germaine added 16 points and nine rebounds. Sydney Cody had 10 points.

Abby Olson contributed 18 points, Hanna Geistfeld had 12 points and Emily Skrien added 10 points for BLC.

MLC (4-7, 2-1) will play at the University of Wisconsin-Superior on Saturday.