Box Score DULUTH, Minn. – Despite a career high 20 points from RJ Dean the Cougars (4-7, 1-1 UMAC) came up short 82-77 against the St. Scholastica Saints (4-9, 2-0 UMAC). The Cougars shot 68% from the field in the second half but ten turnovers in the half affect the comeback attempt. Steve Birman added 14 points on the night and Tyler Pendleton added 13.
 
The Cougars and Saints battled back and forth in the early going as neither team led by more than three points until CSS took a 13-8 lead six minutes into the game. Pendleton hit a three to get UMM within two at 13-11. After the Saints took a six point lead, Pendleton again hit a three to cut it to one possession before CSS got on a roll. St. Scholastica would go on an 11-3 run to take a 28-17 lead with eight minutes left in the half. The lead would grow to as large as 30-18 before the Cougars came storming back. Thanks to five points from Pendleton and four from Birman, UMM tied the game at 34. CSS scored the last four points of the half to go into the locker room with a 38-34 lead.
 
Scholastica hit a three pointer out of the gate in the second half to take a 41-34 lead but UMM went on an 8-2 run making it 43-42. Once again the Saints responded and took another seven point lead shortly after. CSS kept a two possession lead for a majority of the second half until back to back layups by Dean and Birman brought UMM to within two. Down 73-70 Pendleton hit a pair of free throws and Dean hit a three pointer to give UMM the 75-73 lead with just over two minutes left. It was the Cougars first lead since the opening five minutes of the game. St. Scholastica did not let the Cougars keep the lead as their defense forced Morris into three turnovers as the Saints won 82-77

Morris will be back in action tomorrow evening as they take on Northland at 5:00 p.m.