Notables
-CSS without leading scorer Kelsey Sorenson-Giffrow (Braham, Minn./Braham HS (Minn. Duluth)) due to injury
-CSS finished with 27 turnovers, 17 of which in the first half
-MLC bench out-scored CSS bench 21-7.
-MLC was 68-percent from the free throw line, while CSS was 62 percent

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NEW ULM, Minn. (csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica women's basketball team was held to 18 first half points, including eight points in the first quarter as it dropped its Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) opener Friday night at Martin Luther College 71-67.
 
Slow Start
The Saints actually jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the early going with a basket from Michala Walther (Roseville, Minn./Concordia Academy) and then a 3-pointer from Brittani Brennan (Ashland, Wis./Ashland HS). However, the Knights responded with a 12-0 run and Walther's 3-pointer with over four minutes to play for the Saints was the last basket of the quarter for CSS. In fact, between the two teams there were only two made field goals in the final five minutes of the first quarter as Martin Luther led 15-8 after 10 minutes of play.
 
The Margin Widens
The Knights used an 11-2 run in the second quarter to take a 31-14 lead at one point. The Saints cut the Martin Luther lead to 31-18 at halftime. All 10 points scored in the quarter for the Saints came in the paint. The Saints had 17 turnovers in the first half alone.
 
Third Quarter Explosion
After scoring only 18 points in the first half, the Saints poured in 31 points in the third quarter alone. CSS opened the quarter with a 7-0 run to cut the lead to six. Later in the quarter, the Saints regained the lead since early in the game when Walther drained a free throw to make it 36-35 CSS. There would be five ties and six lead changes in the quarter with Martin Luther taking a 50-49 lead into the fourth period.
 
Knights Hang On
The Knights scored the first nine points of the fourth quarter to take a 59-49 lead. However, the Saints were not out of it yet as a Walther 3-pointer cut the margin to one with less than 30 seconds remaining. Unfortunately, CSS did not get another shot at the hoop with turnovers on its next two possessions as Martin Luther hung on for the 71-67 victory.
 
Top CSS Performers
Freshman Michala Walther (Roseville, Minn./Concordia Academy) scored a season-high 18 points, 13 coming in the second half alone. Brittani Brennan (Ashland, Wis./Ashland HS) finished with 16 points and Danica Schellbach (Rush City, Minn./Rush City HS) added 14 points. Holly VanKempen (Elbow Lake, Minn./West Central HS) had eight points, a game-high 11 rebounds and three blocks.
 
Top MLC Performers
Grace Schultz led four Knights in double-figures with 17 points, including 13 points in the second half. Leah Nass had 14 points off the bench. Erin Schmeling had 12 points and Mariah Schoof added 10 points.
 
Up Next
The Saints (1-6, 0-1 UMAC) take on Bethany Lutheran College at 5 p.m. tomorrow in another UMAC contest. Tip time is scheduled for 5 p.m.