Information courtesy of MLC Athletics

Women’s basketball

Carelton 69, MLC 46

NORTHFIELD — The Martin Luther College women’s basketball team battled but was unable to finish strong in a 69-46 loss in Friday’s season opener at Carleton College.

Carleton took control of the game early, breaking a 7-7 tie midway through the first quarter with a 20-2 run over a stretch of more than six minutes to take a 27-7 lead.

MLC battled back, however, outscoring Carleton 21-8 over the final 7:46 of the second quarter to cut the halftime deficit to 35-30.

The Knights continued to hang around through the third quarter and trailed only 48-40 heading into the fourth quarter, but Carleton outscored MLC 21-6 in the final period to secure the win.

MLC started the game 8-20 from 3-point range, but missed its last five attempts from downtown. MLC also battled Carleton to a stalemate on the glass, but 31 MLC turnovers against an aggressive Carleton zone that led to 29 points the other way proved to be the difference.

Erika Gosch was one of six MLC players playing in their first collegiate game and scored 13 points with the help of four 3-point field goals. Emily Witkowski also scored 13 points and added seven rebounds. Cassandra Rose finished with 8 points off the bench.

MLC fell to 0-1 on the season in defeat, while Carleton opened the season 1-0 with the win.

The Knights will return to action Saturday, Nov. 9 when they travel to Coe College for a 4 p.m. game.

Women’s cross-country

MLC women finish 4th at St. John’s

COLLEGEVILLE — The Martin Luther College men’s cross country team finished fourth at the Saint John’s Fall Finale event on Friday.

MLC finished the race with 109 total points in fourth place. Bethel took first with 33 points, followed by Gustavus Adolphus (47) and Saint Benedict (49).

Abigail Buege led the MLC runners with a time of 21:24, good for 11th place overall.

Aimee Olsen (22:26) followed in 23rd place, with Jenna Kassen (24:28), Margaret Gabb (24:30), Elsa Ponath (24:30), Hannah Kratz (24:30) and Kara Peter (24:51) rounding out the top seven.

The Knights will finish the season at the NCAA Division III Regionals, which will be held at Wartburg College on Saturday, Nov. 16.

Men’s cross-country

MLC men take 4th

at St. John’s

COLLEGEVILLE — The Martin Luther College men’s cross country team finished fourth at the Saint John’s Fall Finale event on Friday.

The Knights finished the race with 120 total points in fourth place. Gustavus Adolphus took first with 25 total points, followed by Saint John’s (37) and Bethel (75).

The MLC runners used the race as a fun run and ran in pairs, with Noah Arnold (31:38) and Levi Stelljes (31:39) crossing the finish line first, followed by Kevin Renner (32:37), Ethan Carter (32:41), Juan Escobar (32:55), Caleb Lash (32:55), Christian Huonder (33:58) and Jacob Melso (33:59).

The Knights will finish the season at the NCAA Division III Regionals, which will be held at Wartburg College on Saturday, Nov. 16.