MLC shot just 34.3% from the floor in the first half but 60.7% in the second half to finish 46%. Maranatha Baptist shot 42.9% from the floor in the first half and 48.3% in the second half for a 45.3% finish.

Adam Loberger had 21 points to lead the Knights (4-6) in the scoring department, while Ben Pearson finished with a 20-point, 14-rebound double-double. Pearson also had four assists Ethan Kjenstad also had 14 points for the Knights, while Luke Fix had 10 points and five rebounds and Ben Vasold had 8 points.

Brock Grant led the Sabercats (2-7) with 22 points, while Will Schultz had 14 points and eight rebounds and Ben Price added 10 points.

After a Pearson 3 put the Knights up 15-11 eight minutes into play, the Sabercats went on an 11-0 run to lead 22-15. The Knights chipped away at the deficit, taking the lead back after a 6-0 run all courtesy of Fix. Fix had a pair of free throws, a slam dunk and a layup to put the Knights up 35-33 during that run.

Staff photo by Travis Rosenau Martin Luther College’s Ben Vasold (15) looks to pass the ball near the top of the key during a men’s basketball game against Maranatha Baptist on Saturday at MLC.

A Loberger 3 had the Knights up 38-34 at the half.

The Knights took their first double-digit lead of the day, 49-38, on a layup by Pearson with 16:20 left to play. They continued to hold on to their double-digit lead after that, taking their largest lead on a 3 from Austin Erickson in the final two minutes to make it an 85-66 game.