NEW ULM, Minn. - The Bethany Lutheran men's basketball team Wednesday night fell behind Martin Luther 26-13 midway through the first half but would right the ship and eventually claim an 88-74 victory. With the win the Vikings improve to 9-11 overall and 6-3 in the UMAC, while the Knights fall to 7-13 overall and 2-7 in conference play. 

It was a slow start for Bethany and a blazing hot start for MLC, as the Knights would connect on their first five field goals for an 11-2 lead and didn't stop there as they would extend their lead to 26-13 midway through the first.

Jack Brockmann would tally a putback layup to end the drought before his dunk a few minutes later helped the team on an 8-2 run to cut the deficit down to seven points. With five minutes to go, Jax Madson would connect on a three pointer to bring the deficit down to five, but MLC quickly pushed their advantage back to double digits. Trailing 46-36 with 1:30 to go in the half, Drew Sagedahl would get a putback finish at the hoop before a Madson three with 30 seconds left helped Bethany trim the deficit to five points at the half. 

It seemed like the Knights were going to start the second half similar to how they started the first, as they would connect on a pair of early threes to hold a 52-43 lead. A free throw would push their lead to 10 points but five Bethany free throws and a three pointer and finish inside from DJ Akpati would even the score at 53 all. 

After some back and forth play, MLC would reclaim their lead with 12:31 to go at 59-58 but that was the last lead they saw as Sagedahl would finish inside a minute later to put Bethany back in front. A few minutes later Sagedahl would bury his lone triple of the contest to put the VIkings up 65-60, but MLC would ang around and keep the deficit at four with 7:31 to play. 

Over the next four and a half minutes, the Bethany defense would find its footing, as they would hold the Knights to 1-of-9 shooting from the field and worked their way on a 9-2 run to lead 81-70 with three minutes to play. Four straight points from the Knights would bring the deficit back to seven, but some clutch free throws from the Vikings and a big steal and basket on the other end from Madson helped seal the win for Bethany. 

Madson led the Vikings with 26 points in the contest and added 10 rebounds for a double-double, while Sagedahl also notched a double-double with 16 points and 10 boards. Akpati added 15 for Bethany while Brockmann added 12 points and nine boards. 

A big turning point in the game for the Vikings was their rebounding in the second half. After being out-boarded 22-15 in the first 20 minutes, Bethany would come back with a vengeance in the second, securing 31 rebounds to just 18 for MLC. 

The Vikings will next be in action on Saturday when they travel to Northland for a 1 p.m. contest