NEW ULM, Minn. - Despite a late surge in the final minutes of play North Central University men's basketball (8-15, 4-12 UMAC) fell to Martin Luther College (2-23, 1-15), 76-71, on Saturday afternoon. The Rams closed a 14 point lead to within one in the second half but couldn't complete the comeback in the final minutes of the game. Five Rams scored double-figure points with Travis Voigt (Green Bay, Wis./NEW Lutheran) and CJ Lewis (Minneapolis, Minn./Bloomington Kennedy) leading the Rams with 15 points each. Riley Loukinen (Little Falls, Minn/Little Falls) scored 12 points and was perfect from the field shooting and missed only one shot all night - on his third free throw attempt. This game closes out the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) regular season and matchups for both teams.

How It Happened

First Half: The first seven minutes of action saw the team trade off baskets and vying for the lead. Riley Loukinen hit a 3-pointer to give the Rams the edge. The Knights then went on a 7-2 run to change the course of the game and give the Knights a five-point lead. the Knights completed another run this time, 9-1, extending the lead to 14 points at the half. Riley Loukinen had nine of his 12 points in the first half. Levi Herrick (Minocqua, Wis./Lakeland Union) tallied 5 rebounds in the half.

Second Half: In the half the Rams outscored the Knights 45-36 and halfway through the game a 3-pointer from CJ Lewis made it a one point game. The Knights were able to capitalize on the Rams missed shots in the final minutes of play. North Central brought the game within two points at multiple times before the Knights traded shots between 3-pointers and made free throws from the Rams fouling. Both CJ Lewis and Travis Voigt scored 13 of their 15 points in the final half.

Up Next: North Central will travel to Hancock, Mich. for a rematch with Finlandia University and a makeup contest from December. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. CST.