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Morris, Minn. – The University of Minnesota, Morris women's basketball defeated St. Scholastica at home tonight (Jan. 29), 66-56.

The Cougars took a hot start to begin the game, outscoring the Saints 23-3 in the first 6:38. Then the Saints went on a run of their own to chip away at the large Cougar lead. The Saints ended the first half on 26-17 run to cut the deficit to 11 going into at halftime.

The Saints continued in the second where they left off in the first, bringing the score within five after lay-up from Kelly Cinquegrani. UMM would not give up though, as they extended their lead to 11 points on a three pointer from Diane Blommel (Grey Eagle, Minn.). Then CSS would respond again, with a Cinquegrani lay-up with 1:27 left in the game to bring the score to 56-61.

Down the stretch, though, UMM was too tough, capitalizing on their free throw shooting. In the last minute of the game, the Cougars made 5-of-6 free throws to close out the win.

Steph Roggenbuck (Osakis, Minn.) was 25 points shy of scoring her 1,000th point as Cougar going into tonight, and almost reached the standard against CSS. It seemed early as if she would easily eclipse the mark, as she scored 17 points in the first half. However, she cooled down and only scored four more in the second. She is now only four points shy of the milestone and will look to reach it Tuesday night (Feb. 1) against Presentation. Roggenbuck had seven rebounds and two assists to go with her 21 points.

Emily Mehr (Aitkin, Minn.) had 12 points to go with two rebounds, two steals and one assist. Tara Tara Thielke (Hancock, Minn.) has now scored in double digits in the past three games and five of the past six games, after her 10 points, two rebounds and four assists on the day. Kaila Lindsay (Becker, Minn.)added six points and four rebounds.

Defense has been the story for the Cougars this season they have held their past seven opponents to less than 60 points.

Tonight's game wrapped up the first half of UMAC play for the Cougars. They are now 7-0 in conference action – and 12-6 overall – and have won 20 straight UMAC regular season games. UMM will look to continue their winning streak in the second half of conference play and are looking to get back into the NCAA tournament after earning their schools first ever NCAA DIII postseason berth last season.

They will go to Presentation Tuesday night (Feb. 1) to kick-off the second half of conference play at 5:30 p.m. in Aberdeen, S.D.