NEW ULM — The Martin Luther College womens basketball team took down Nebraska Wesleyan at home, 63-52, on Wednesday night. The Knights got off to a large lead early and never looked back.

The Knights were able to generate a well-balanced scoring effort on the night, rather than relying on just one player, to keep the Prairie Wolves on their heels.

Emma Nelson led the MLC scoring effort with 16 points, including 7-13 shooting.

Jordyn Heckendorf and Lydia Feidt also finished in double figures with 13 and 10 points respectively.

By the end of the first half MLC was doubling up the Prairie Wolves. They led 24-12 at the first break.

NWU was able to cut the deficit to single digits at halftime, but were unable to complete the comeback, and the Knights escaped with a win.

Down in the post, the Knights dominated the glass. They finished the game with a plus-11 rebounding advantage, largely due to Nelson’s 11 boards.

The double-double was Nelson’s second of the season, with her first coming in a 64-63 win over Waldorf on Nov. 28.

Also doing damage in the paint, Lauren Paulsen put forth a well-rounded effort in the game. She finished with a pair of blocks, as well as six rebounds and 7 points.

After a hot 3-4 start from behind the arc in the first quarter, the Knights went 0-4 in the second. Still, they finished the night shooting a solid 33% from 3-point range.

MLC turned the ball over more than NWU, but they did a much better job of capitalizing on their opponents’ mistakes. Despite losing the turnover battle 15-13, the Knights still finished the game with 8 more points of turnovers.

Heckendorf and Feidt each stole the ball three times.

Following the win, Martin Luther College (5-6) will try to carry their momentum on the road with them to Mankato, where they will face off against Bethany Lutheran on Saturday at 4:45 p.m.