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Box Score

New Ulm, Minn. – The Minnesota Morris men's basketball team nearly erased an 11-point second half deficit tonight (Jan. 22) before suffering an 83-76 setback against Martin Luther.

With 4:58 left to go in the game, the Knights scored to go up 71-60, opening up their biggest lead of the game. Despite two missed free throws on the next trip down the floor, a rebound and put-back by Zach Meyer (Cottonwood, Minn.) got the Cougar offense rolling.

On the Cougars' next possession Meyer charted a steal, offensive rebound, and two free throws to get UMM within seven at 71-64 with 3:45 left to play. Meyer went on to finish with 14 points on a 5-of-6 night from the floor and a 4-of-4 night from the free throw line.

Late in the game the Cougars were able to pull all the way back within three, when Steve Birman (Duluth, Minn.) nailed one of his three three-pointers on his way to 13 points. Despite two missed shots on the possession the Cougars crashed the boards to pull down a pair of offensive rebounds to keep the possession alive and set up Birman's trey.

Minnesota Morris out-rebounded Martin Luther 32-to-27 on the night, including 13 on the offensive end, leading to 18 points.

After seeing their lead shrink to just three, the Knights nailed four straight free throws in the final 10 seconds to seal the win. The win was just the second for Martin Luther on the season who improves to 2-11 overall 2-3 in UMAC action.

The Cougars, meanwhile, drop to 3-2 in UMAC play, falling into second place after moving into a tie for first just last night. Overall the Cougars are 6-9 on the season, with the loss snapping their three-game winning streak.

Along with Meyer and Birman, Eric Dalbey (Mora, Minn.) led all the Cougars with 15 points. The Knights were led by Greg Holzhueter and Nathan Bauer with 22 and 21 points respectively.

The Cougars will look to get back on track in the UMAC at home next weekend when they host Northland and St. Scholastica on Jan. 28 and 29 respectively. But first though, they will host Trinity Bible in the last nonconference game of the season on Jan. 25 on Jim Gremmels Court. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.