Vikings hold off Knights 56-51
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By Michael Fromm
Journal Sports Correspondent
NEW ULM -- The Bethany Lutheran College women's basketball team defeated Martin Luther College 56-51 on Saturday in a back-and-forth Upper Midwest Athletic Conference game.
The Knights stayed with the Vikings in points off turnovers, points in the paint, and second-chance points, being led by juniors Jordyn Heckendorf and Emma Nelson, who each had 12 points. Sophomore guard Grace Kieselhorst had 11 points also for MLC.
However, the Vikings were led by three players combining for 42 of the 56 total points by senior guard Skylar Cotten, sophomore forward Lexiss Trygg, and junior forward Sara Kottke.
Cotten's 16 points led the way for BLC.
The fourth quarter saw an increase in intensity and momentum swings from both teams. Nelson and Heckendorf's scoring caused an uproar from the large crowd and brought the Knights within a basket with five minutes left in the game. With 1:35 left to play, Kieselhorst executed a drop-step turnaround shot to tie the game at 51. Additionally, Heckendorf drew a charge to give the Knights a chance for a game-tying 3. The Knights unfortunately missed a 3-pointer in the final seconds, however, losing 56-51.
Both teams got off to slow scoring starts, with a Vikings lead of 10-4 at the 5:09 mark. The Knights saw a scoring boost from Kielsehorst, who scored the first two baskets, followed by an impressive contested layup made by senior guard Ally Platzer to have the Knights down 17-10 after one quarter. The second quarter featured back-and-forth scoring efforts from both teams, with a Nelson 3-point make and Trygg drop-step finishes creating a 28-24 BLC lead going into halftime.
The second half saw the Vikings and Knights continue to battle with a 4-0 BLC run in the first three minutes of the third quarter, but Heckendorf scored 6 points capped off by a polished step-through reverse layup to trail 34-30 with four minutes remaining. To end the third quarter, the Knights kept the deficit to 3 points with scoring from Kieselhorst and Erika Gosch, making the game 40-37.
Martin Luther College (8-11, 1-7) will look to bounce back and pick up some conference wins, starting against the UW-Superior Yellowjackets on Friday.