Box Score MORRIS, Minn. – The University Minnesota Morris Cougars (2-4) fell 61-51 to the Vikings of Valley City State (6-2) on Tuesday night, despite three Cougars scoring in double figures. Brendon Foss led the way with 14 points, followed by Evan Reller with 12 and RJ Dean with 11.  Both teams struggled going a combined 39-109 on the night.
 
The Vikings put up 32 shots from the three point land, including 20 of their 26 first half shots. They were also 10-12 from the foul line compared to the Cougars who finished 8-15 from the line which proved to be the difference in the game in addition to six more made three pointers.
 
Morris took the early lead going up 7-0 in the first two minutes of action. Valley City struggled in the early going as they made just three shots in the opening 6:30 of the first half as Morris held the 14-11 lead midway through the first half. The Vikings tied the game at nine and again at 14 but the Cougars responded each time. UMM lead 21-17 with 6:40 left in the first half before the Vikings went on a 9-0 run taking a 26-21 lead with 3:28 left in the first half. Foss hit a three pointer late in the half to cut the lead to two but the Vikings responded with a three of their own taking a 33-28 lead into the half.
 
Out of the break Foss converted on a layup and hit a three pointer to tie the game at 33. After a VCSU three pointer, Dean hit a layup followed by one from Reller giving the Cougars a 37-36 lead. Reller hit another layup giving the Cougars a three point lead with 16:33 left. The next eight minutes would be a back and forth battle before Sekani Milligen hit a three pointer extending the Vikings lead to 49-43 with 8:15 left. The three came in the middle of a 10-0 run that put the Vikings ahead 54-44 with 6:13 left. UMM cut the lead to five with 3:10 left on a nice layup from Dean but were not able to get any closer as the Vikings pulled away late winning 61-51.
 
Minnesota Morris is back in the P.E. Center Friday night as they host Mayville State at 7:30 p.m.