Box Score MORRIS, Minn. – Steve Birman came up one point short of his career high in the Cougars (4-6, 1-0 UMAC) 86-62 win over Crown (5-7, 0-1 UMAC).  Three other Cougars scored in double figures; Tyler Pendleton, RJ Dean and Jeremy Burns. UMM shot 53.1% on the night from the field and 61.1% from three point range.
 
Tyler Pendleton had a game high 14 points off the bench. RJ Dean added 13points and a career high seven assists. Jeremy Burns had a season high 10 points in eight minutes off the bench, hitting 4-5 from the field.
 
The first nine minutes were a back and forth as both teams were hot in the early going. Steve Birman had ten points in the first four minutes of the half. The game was tied at 22 with just over 11 minutes to play in the half. The Cougars put some separation between them and the Storm with an 8-0 run taking a 30-22 lead. Crown pulled within three at 33-30 with under six minutes to play but UMM went on another 8-0 run taking a 41-30 lead. Dean had four of the eight points during the run. Logan Orazem hit a three pointer as time expired in the first half to give the Cougars a 47-33 lead, their largest lead of the half.
 
Minnesota Morris extended the lead to 25 out of the break thanks to a 15-4 run to start the half. Morris would never let the Storm get any closer than 19 as the Cougars picked up the 86-60 win.
 
UMM will be on the road this weekend as they take on St. Scholastica Friday at 5:30 p.m. and Ashland at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.