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Box Score

Duluth, Minn. – As they have done so many times this season, the Minnesota Morris men's basketball team overcame a halftime deficit tonight (Feb. 18), as they beat host St. Scholastica 76-73 while also securing an Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Tournament berth.

The Cougars began the night with their status for the postseason still uncertain, but after tonight's win over the Saints – coupled with a Bethany Lutheran loss – Morris is not only in the tournament, but has locked up the No. 2 seed as well, and will host on Mar. 23.

Morris (13-11, 9-4 UMAC) trailed by five at halftime 39-34, after St. Scholastica (9-15, 6-7 UMAC) shot a blazing 59% (17-of-29) from the field in the first half.

Coming out of the break, the Cougars answered back with nine straight points and went up 43-39 after a Daniel Fragodt (Benson, Minn.) put-back at the 17:22 mark. The rebound was one of a game-high nine for Fragodt, while adding seven points.

After taking over the lead, the Cougars would never trail again. Twice the Saints managed to tie the score, but each time the Cougars answered. First, after being knotted up 46-46 at the 14:57 mark Eric Dalbey (Mora, Minn.) connected for three of his 14 points, and again at 7:35 with things all squared up at 59-59,Steve Birman (Duluth, Minn.) sank a jumper to put the Cougars up for good.

Birman finished with a team high 21 points on the night, hitting double figures for the first time since the first day of the month, while having his highest mark since Jan. 21. He carried the Cougars in the first half, pouring in 19 points before the break. In the second, it was Dalbey who led the charge, as they senior scored all 14 of his points in the second half.

The Saints Danny Schmitz led all scorers with 28 points in a 10-of-15 night, which included six three-pointers.

Derek Schmidt (East Grand Forks, Minn.), with 12, was the only other Cougar in double figures.

The Saints finished the night shooting 53% (31-of-59) from the floor, the best mark of the season for a Morris opponent in a game where the Cougars won. The difference tonight came at the free throw line, where Morris had its best game of the season, finishing 19-of-21. Conversely, the Saints went to the charity stripe just five times all night.  

With the No. 2 seed secured, the Cougars will be hosting in the first round of the UMAC playoffs when they begin Wednesday Feb. 23. Game time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., after the Cougar women host their first round game at 5:30 p.m. on Jim Gremmels Court. The men's opponent is still undecided, and could be either Bethany Lutheran or Martin Luther. 

The Cougars close out the regular season tomorrow night at Northland, with a chance for their first 10-win UMAC season since 2004-05. Tip-off is scheduled fro 5:00 p.m.