Minneapolis – With strong performances coming from just about every area, the Minnesota Morris women's basketball team scored a 76-59 road win over North Central in nonconference action this evening (Feb. 7).

At the forefront of those performances was once again Emily Mehr, who led all players with 27 points, but this time added a career high 11 rebounds for the second double-double of her career. Just last weekend, Mehr scored a career high 30 points, before earning UMAC Player of the Week honors for the effort earlier today.

She was joined atop the leader board by Jenni Noordmans who added 18 points, hitting double figures for a career high 12th time on the season, as well as the fourth time in the last five games.

The Cougar defense was also impressive on the boards tonight, pulling down a season high 60 rebounds, more than double that of the Rams. The mark is 10 better than the Cougars' previous season high, and stands as the best single game in the UMAC this season .

North Central (6-14) was held to just a 3-of-11 (27%) night from long range, and only made it to the free throw line six times, as Morris committed a season low six fouls all game.

The Cougars (13-8), meanwhile, had their best night of the season at the free throw line, going 10-of-11 (91%), with four players finishing perfect at the stripe. Their 38% (29-of-76) shooting mark from the field was below their usual standard, but they made up for it by making 29 field goals, one of their best nights of the season.

The Rams hung with the Cougars for much of the game's first 11 minutes, even erasing an early 12-point deficit to trail just four at 26-22 at the 8:56 mark. From there, though, Morris found its stride, scoring 13 straight points to start a 22-to-3 run to put the game away heading into the break, and lead 48-25 as they went to the locker rooms.

The Rams would just get as close as 14 in the second, as the Cougars coasted the rest of the way.

Coming off one of their best all around performances of the season, the Cougars will get to stay home as they ride out the momentum form this evening's performance. They open a four-game home stand to close out the season this weekend, first hosting Crown on Feb. 10 (5:30 p.m.), before Northwestern on Feb. 11 (3:00 p.m.).

Heading into the home stretch, the Cougars sit in second place in the standings, needing to win out and get some help to secure a share of their third straight UMAC Championship.