Information courtesy of MLC Athletics

Men’s basketball

MLC 98, Maranatha Baptist 88, OT

WATERTOWN, Wis. — The Martin Luther College men’s basketball team closed its season with a come-from-behind 98-88 win in overtime at Maranatha Baptist on Saturday.

Things looked bleak for the Knights early in the second half as the Sabercats pushed an eight-point halftime lead to 20 (57-37), but MLC responded with an 18-2 run of its own to cut the deficit to four near the midway mark of the second half.

The Knights finally caught MBU in the final minutes of regulation, and Austin DeNoyer made two key free throws inside the final minute to send the game into overtime tied 81-81.

MLC owned the extra period, outscoring MBU 17-7. The Knights shot 4-5 from the floor and 8-10 from the free throw line in overtime on the way to securing the win and the season sweep against the Sabercats.

The bench came up big for the Knights as Joseph Hirsch, Jared Witkowiak, Caleb Westra and Jacob Price each scored in double figures. The MLC reserves outscored the Sabercats’ bench 50-8 for the game, while Witkowiak and Westra also played a key role defensively down the stretch with a combined seven steals.

MLC finished the game with 16 total steals as its pressure forced 22 MBU miscues. The Knights also slowed down the Sabercats’ outside shooting that started the game 9-of-21 from beyond the 3-point arc, but made just two of their final 18 attempts.

DeNoyer led the way for MLC with 19 points (9-of-10 from the free throw line) and also grabbed seven rebounds. Ian Paulsen finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds, five steals and two blocks. Hirsch and Witkowiak each scored 13 points, while Westra and Price finished with 12 and 10 points, respectively.

MLC finished the season 6-19 following the win. MBU fell to 8-12 in defeat.

Women’s basketball

Maranatha Baptist 67, MLC 52

WATERTOWN, Wis. — The MLC women’s basketball team saw its season come to a close with 67-52 loss at Maranatha Baptist University on Saturday.

The Knights fell behind 24-19 after the first quarter, and then were outscored 17-6 in the second period as the Sabercats took a 41-25 lead into the half.

MLC competed throughout the second half and cut the deficit to 11 points late in the fourth quarter, but could not get into single digits as the Sabercats closed out the win.

The Knights held MBU to 38.1% shooting for the game, but were outscored 14-3 at the free throw line and could not overcome 23 turnovers.

Cassandra Rose led MLC with nine points and nine rebounds. Emily Witkowski and Ally Platzer each finished with eight points.

MLC finished the season with a record of 3-22 following the loss. MBU improved to 17-3 with the win.