Morris, Minn. – The Minnesota Morris women's basketball team had their best shooting night of the season, and cruised to an 83-46 win over visiting Presentation tonight (Jan. 31) on Jim Gremmels Court.

In starting the stretch run in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) play, the Cougars (10-8, 6-2 UMAC) got just the jump they needed, blazing their way to a 44-23 halftime lead, shooting better than 61% (19-of-31) in the first half to get there.

Morris finished with a 54% (36-of-67) mark from the field on the night, and had four players in double figures with every player in uniform finding the basket at least once. It was their best shooting night from the field, topping the 50% mark for the season's first time. They better their 49% mark from last week against Trinity Bible, and move to 5-0 in the season when shooting better than 45%.

At one point in the first half, the Cougars made 9-of-10 from the field, while running their first half lead to as much as 24 when Kelsey Erickson hit a jumper to make it 40-16 with just over four minutes left. Erickson finished the game with a well rounded night, scoring six points, to go along with five assists and nine rebounds.

Presentation (2-15, 1-6 UMAC) actually opened the scoring, running out to a 5-0 advantage and led for nearly the first five minutes. But when Morris took over with a basket from Erickson at the 15:12 mark, the Cougars would never trail again, and Saints would struggle to continue to find their rhythm.

The Saints shot under 30% in each half, finishing with just a 29% (18-of-62) mark for the game. For the Cougar's defense, it was the lowest they have held a conference opponent to this season, while the 46 points allowed is the second lowest in league play behind only the 44 they allowed to the Saints in the first meeting.

Emily Mehr had 15 at the break before finishing with 16, her eighth straight game with at least 15 for the reigning UMAC Player of the Week.

Kendra Wycoff led all players with 17, the sixth time this season she had led the Cougars. This time though, she did it without the aid of her usual three-point shot, hitting just one while making seven field goals, the second best mark of her career.

Abby Fragodt continued her prowess on the boards, tying a career high with 12, hitting the mark for the third time. The third leading rebounder in the UMAC in conference games, Fragodt has topped double-digits five times this season.

The Cougars win – coupled with losses by St. Scholastica and Bethany Lutheran – leaves them alone in second place in the conference standings, with three weekends of league play left to go. They remain, however, two behind leader Martin Luther who stayed perfect with their comeback win over Bethany Lutheran tonight.

The Cougars will get their chance to avenge their loss to the Knights this Friday (Feb. 3), when they travel to Martin Luther for a 5:30 p.m. match-up. A night later (Feb. 4) they are at Bethany Lutheran for a 3:00 p.m. tilt.