Follow the Cougars on Twitter
Send Cougar updates to my email
Get Text Updates
Box Score
Moorhead, Minn. – The University of Minnesota, Morris men's basketball team overcame an early 11-point deficit tonight (Nov. 18) to win 65-63 on the road over Concordia.
A steal and dunk the Cobbers' Ebo Nana-Kweson gave the hosts an 18-7 lead at the 11:18 mark of the first half, capping a 9-0 run and putting Concordia comfortably in the driver's seat early. With the Cobbers holding the momentum, the Cougars answered by going right back down the floor and halting the streak with a jumper from Zach Meyer (Cottonwood, Minn.).
Meyer hit the first of 11-straight or the Cougars, who strung together a run of their own to tie things up at 18-18 at the 7:34 mark of the opening half. The basket was two of 12 on the night for Meyer, who finished as one of two Cougars in double figures.
The run was capped by Steve Birman (Duluth, Minn.), who followed up his 25-point season opener with 22 this evening. Despite evening the score the Cougars were unable to gain the lead in the first half and went into the break trailing by four at 36-32.
It took until the 8:44 mark in the second half to get the score tied up again, and until the 7:40 mark after three by Birman to regain the lead at 57-54. In the meantime, the Cougars kept the score close, staying within striking distance of the Cobbers, but just unable to get over the hump. A steal-and-score by Derek Schmidt (East Grand Forks, Minn.) first tied it up, before the Birman three a minute later for the lead.
The Cougars now had a lead they would not relinquish, and led by at least two the rest of the way. For every Cobber score, UMM had and answer as they moved to 2-0 on the young season. Concordia falls to 0-1 as the Cougars spoiled their season opener.
Minnesota, Morris outscored the Cobbers 33-27 in the second half, including 19-11 over the last 9:35. They held Concordia to just a 35% (20-of-57) shooting mark from the floor while holding a 38-to-31 edge on the boards. With eight rebounds by himself, Meyer led the way for the Cougars, with Ben Lindberg (Superior, Wis.) chipping in seven.
The Cougars shot 59% (27-of-46) from the floor on the night, but were paced by a 68% (15-of-22) clip in the second half as they mounted their comeback. Birman led the way in the second, with 16 of his 22 points.
With two wins under their belt, the Cougars face yet a stiffer test this weekend, as they travel to Marshall to face Southwest Minnesota State on Nov. 20. The Cougars and Mustangs are scheduled to tip off at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, an hour earlier than originally scheduled due to the NCAA Volleyball Central Regional hosted by SMSU.
