Box Score MORRIS, Minn. - The Cougars (13-11, 8-5 UMAC) went 11-23 from beyond the arc on Friday night as they picked up a huge win over the Bethany Lutheran Vikings (10-13, 8-5 UMAC) on Friday night. Minnesota Morris moves into a tie for third place with the Vikings after win, and remains one game clear of St. Scholastica with one game left. Five Cougars scored in double figures, led by R.J. Dean who had 14 points.
 
The other four Cougars in double figures were Logan Orazem (13), Steve Birman (12), Tyler Pendleton (12), and Brendon Foss (11). Foss also added ten rebounds as he picked up the double-double.
 
Minnesota Morris shot over 50% from the field for the fourth straight game and nearly hit that mark again from three point range. The Cougars proved again why thy rank third in the nation in three point field goal shooting and have now won four straight games.
 
The win combined with a North Central loss means there is a three way tie for second place with one game left between Bethany Lutheran, North Central and Minnesota Morris. Right behind them is St. Scholastica trailing by just a game. The Cougars still control their own destiny and a win tomorrow would put them in the UMAC Tournament.
 
Morris struggled in the first half shooting just 36.0% from the field but still head a five point lead at the break thanks to four made three pointers and five more made free throws. They then caught fire in the second half hitting 66.7% of their shots and were 7-12 from downtown.
 
Thanks to an 18-5 run from the 12:17 mark to the 3:48 mark Minnesota Morris took 26-16 lead in the first half. BLC cut the lead to five going into the break.
 
In the second half the Cougars increased the lead to 14 with just over 12 minutes left in the game. The Vikings closed to within four but back to back lay-ups from Brendon Foss and Evan Reller put UMM back up by eight. Bethany would never get any closer than six as the Cougars pulled away for the 76-65 win.
 
The Cougars will try to clinch a spot in the UMAC Tournament with a win over Martin Luther tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. Prior to the game UMM will honor seniors Ben Hoidal, Logan Orazem and Steve Birman.