Box Score MORRIS, Minn. – In one of the more physical games the Cougars (12-11, 7-5 UMAC) have played on the year, they were able to come out on top defeating St. Scholastica (8-15, 6-6 UMAC) 75-68. Minnesota Morris caught fire from three point range on the night, hitting 10 of 17 shots. After missing their first five three point attempts on the night the Cougars connected on ten of their next 12, including all six in the second half.
 
Logan Orazem had a team high 21 points on the night, he was 6-8 from the field, 4-6 from three point land and 5-6 from the foul line. He also added a team high seven rebounds in the contest. Steve Birman was 4-5 from behind the arc as she scored 14 and Ben Hoidal had 13 points off the bench. The Cougars as a team shot 55.6% from the field; it is their third straight game shooting over 50% from both the field and behind the arc.
 
Despite turning the ball over four more times than the Saints they still outscored CSS 26-18 in points off turnovers. Minnesota Morris also got to the foul line 25 times on the night and converted seven more free throws than the Saints.
 
Neither team had a lead larger than four until Orazem hit a layup with 11:38 left in the first half giving UMM a 16-11 lead. After the Saints cut the lead to one Orazem connected with another layup and then Hoidal and Birman hit threes to give UMM a 24-17 lead midway through the first half. The lead got as large as ten points in the first half as Orazem hit a three pointer with six minutes left. The Saints would close the gap to four just two minutes later and the Cougars would go into the half with a 37-33 lead.
 
St. Scholastica tied the game right out of the half but back to back three pointers from Birman gave UMM a 43-37 lead. Once again the Saints responded and tied the game at 43. A flagrant foul was called on the Saints with the game tied and Hoidal took advantage hitting three free throws giving UMM the lead back. CSS did let the Cougars get away easily tying the game at 51 and then again at 53 with 9:24 left. Orazem hit his fourth three pointer of the game to spark an 11-0 run as Morris took control as they took a 64-53 lead with 7:04 left. Two three pointers and an old fashion three point play told the story of the run. Birman hit a three pointer with 3:39 left in the game to increase the lead to 12 and the Saints never go any closer than seven and Minnesota Morris won 75-68 in the battle of fourth place teams in the UMAC.
 
The Cougars are now in fourth by one game with just two more to play before the UMAC Tournament. Only four of the eight teams in the UMAC reach the Tournament.  The win means UMM controls its own destiny as they host Bethany Lutheran and Martin Luther next weekend.