Staff photo by Steve Muscatello Martin Luther College’s Emily Witkowski takes a 3-point shot over a Northland defender during the first half Saturday at MLC in New Ulm. For more photos of this event go to cu.nujournal.com

NEW ULM — Setting a women’s school record for team 3-pointers made in a game, Martin Luther College downed Northland College 80-48 on Saturday in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference basketball action.

The Knights (5-13, 3-6) knocked down 13 total 3s in the game, breaking the previous record of 11 that was set during the 2010-2011 season. Grace Schultz was a big part of the record-breaking day for the Knights, scoring 24 points with six 3s.

“We’re taught to be confident when we shoot,” Schultz said. “A lot of it tonight helped with getting inside-outside shots and just being confident. The past couple of games, we haven’t been able to put the ball through the hoop, which is tough for any team. But when we shoot confidently inside and outside and know that it’s going in, that definitely helps.”

The Knights were overdue for a win after seven straight defeats, but they showed up ready to take care of business on Saturday.

Emily Witkowski also knocked down a pair of 3s during the game and added 12 points, six assists and four rebounds on the day for MLC. Jade St. Germaine added 14 points and eight boards, while Hailey Johnson had 10 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double.

The Knights jumped out to an early 10-3 lead after three straight baskets in the paint by Schultz, Johnson and St. Germaine. After a pair of free throws cut the Northland deficit to 12-9, Witkowski got a shot to fall inside and then dropped in a 3 to put the Knights up 17-9.

Faith Otte knocked down a 3 to give the Knights a 23-11 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Knights continued to amp up their intensity in the second quarter and ended the half with a bucket inside by Kati Aguilar for a 39-19 lead.

MLC put 30 points on the board in a strong third quarter that featured three 3s by Schultz and a 3 each by Witkowski, Johnson and Crystal Carmichael. The Knights led 69-30 after three quarters, which would end up being MLC’s largest lead of the game.

Alyssa Bergemann drained the final 3 of the game for MLC that led to the final score.

The Knights shot 52 percent from 3 and 43.3 percent from the field, while holding the LumberJills to 22.2 percent from 3 and 34.7 percent from the field.

“Tonight it really showed that we all trust the process and we all trust each other,” Witkowski said. “It’s definitely a team win. A lot of individuals contributed to the game, everyone played phenomenal.”

The Knights next travel to take on Bethany Lutheran in UMAC action on Wednesday.