Box Score MORRIS, Minn. – The Northwestern Eagles (10-5, 3-1 UMAC) came out hot and finished hot as they picked up the 81-72 win over the Minnesota Morris Cougars (5-8, 2-2 UMAC) on Friday night in the P.E. Center. The Cougars matched the Eagles in the first half shooting 51.6% from the field and were 7-11 from the three point range. Northwestern was 13-25 in the game from three point range as six players hit a three point shot on the night.
 
Ben Hoidal was 5-5 from the field on the night, including three made three pointers, finishing with 13 points. Evan Reller also had 13 points, as he shot 6-8 from the field. Steve Birman had a team high 15 points. RJ Dean had ten points and seven rebounds.
 
UMM jumped out to a 7-0 lead early on in the first half and led by as much as nine early before the Eagles got back in the game at 12-11. The Cougars pulled away once again and led by as much as ten 33-23 with 4:45 left in the first half. Northwestern used a 12-4 run to draw with two before Hoidal hit a three pointer with a half minute left to give the Cougars the 40-35 lead at halftime.
 
Minnesota Morris held the lead through the first six minutes of the second half but then the Eagles went on a run to take a 72-57 lead thanks to a 28-9 run. The Cougars were unable to get back in the game as the Eagles pulled away and led 79-62 with 1:51 left. UMM finished on a 10-2 run but ran out of time falling 81-72.
 
The Cougars will host North Central tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. as they try to get back in the win column.