Box Score MANKATO, Minn. - In a game that wasn't decided until the final minute, the Bethany women's basketball team fell in their Upper Midwest Athletic Conference opener 71-65 to Martin Luther Saturday afternoon.

The Knights jumped out to a double digit lead at 21-10 halfway through the first half. Angela DeBruzzi hit a jumper in the paint that ignited an 11-1 run as Bethany got back into the contest. Dakota Ellinghuysen drained a 3 that gave Bethany the lead at 26-24 with 5:35 left in the half. After an Erin Schmeling hit a 3 to retake the lead for MLC, DeBruzzi countered with a 3 of her own as take the lead back. MLC scored the final four points of the half and would lead 33-30 at the break.

The second half was tight the whole until Martin Luther started to slowly pull away going up by six at 55-49 with 8:23 left. Bethany did all they could to try to take the lead pulling within one following a 5-0 run, but couldn't take over the lead as the Knight held off BLC down the stretch. 

Ellinghuysen came off the bench to score a game-high and career-high 20 points to go along with seven rebounds. DeBruzzi added 13 points. Briana Brandts had eight points and 11 rebounds.

Bethany (1-11, 0-1 in UMAC) next plays Friday home to Minn.-Morris at 5:30 p.m.