Box Score NEW ULM, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris (7-9, 3-3 UMAC) got 20 points from both RJ Dean and Steve Birman as they cruised to a 92-52 win over Martin Luther (2-15, 1-5 UMAC) on Friday night. As a team the Cougars shot 40.7% from the three point line. The defense held MLC to just 18.5% from three, as they were just 5-27 from behind the arc.
 
Dean and Birman both went 8-14 from the field on the night. Brendon Foss added 14 points and eight rebounds in 26 minutes. Morris outscored the Knights 45-22 in the paint, 26-11 in points off turnovers, 22-8 in second chance points and 26-11 in bench scoring. The game was close in the first half but UMM outscored Martin Luther 54-20 in the second half.
 
The second half spurt was spurred by hot shooting as the Cougars were 21-34 from the field and 8-15 from three point land. On the flip side, the Knights were just 9-38 from the field and 1-17 from behind the arc in the second half.
 
Martin Luther jumped out to a 10-4 lead early but the Cougars responded to cut the lead to 12-10 with just over 14 minutes left in the first half. The Knights would keep the lead until Foss hit a layup to put UMM up 22-21 with under six minutes left in the half. Tied at 27 with 4:22 left in the half the Cougars went on an 11-5 run to end the half and take a 38-32 lead.
 
Evan Reller had two of his four points immediately out of the break to give Morris an eight point lead. The Knights cut the lead to five, twice in the opening three minutes of the half, however Morris responded with a 21-5 run to take a 63-42 lead with 10:43 left. Minnesota Morris never looked back and would lead by as much as 42 as they coasted to a 92-52 win.
 
The Cougars will be back in action tomorrow as they take on Bethany Lutheran at 5:00 p.m.