MLC Women Show Resilience and Triumph Over Yellowjackets in UMAC Victory

Staff photo by Travis Rosenau. Martin Luther College’s Ava Stein reacts after scoring during Saturday’s game against UW-Superior.

NEW ULM — The Martin Luther College Knights women’s basketball team secured a strong victory at home, winning 60-52 against the University of Wisconsin-Superior on Saturday. This win helps them remain undefeated at home and in conference play.

Mya Morris led the team with 22 points and grabbed five rebounds. Freshman Ava Stein also made a significant impact with 15 points and eight rebounds while showing her skills in the low post. The team’s main post player, Emma Dorn, had an off night shooting but still managed nine rebounds.

Stein, standing at 5-foot-11, faced a challenge against the Yellowjackets’ taller player, Charlotte Ferstl, who is 6-foot-3. “It was definitely a challenge,” Stein shared. “I just came in with confidence and did what I needed to do.” Her determination helped the Knights secure the win.

Ferstl led the Yellowjackets with 15 points and nine rebounds. Despite this, the Yellowjackets couldn’t take the lead throughout the game, although they kept up the pressure on the Knights.

In the first quarter, the Knights shot an impressive 53.3%, finishing the quarter ahead 20-16. However, their scoring dipped in the second quarter but they managed to stay in the lead at halftime, 30-26.

Both teams exchanged baskets in the third quarter until Morris hit two consecutive three-pointers, pushing the score to 42-35 by the end of the quarter. Later in the game, when the Yellowjackets pulled within four points, Stein surprised everyone by sinking a key three-pointer, boosting the Knights’ lead to seven points.

Anna Kieselhorst then stepped up and hit another three-pointer, helping to maintain the Knights’ momentum. In the closing minutes, the Knights tightened their grip on the game with crucial free throws from Kieselhorst and Morris. Their combined efforts helped seal the victory.

With this win, the Knights are now 4-0 in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC), improving their overall record to 10-4. They remain in a strong position as the first place team in the UMAC, handing the Yellowjackets their first conference loss this season. The Knights are energized and ready to keep up their hard work as they aim for the conference title.

Kieselhorst reflected on their journey: “The beginning of our last season was tough, but we started winning more games towards the end. We just have to keep working hard and see where it takes us.”