Box Score MORRIS, Minn. – The Cougars (7-6, 1-1 UMAC) snapped their four game losing streak in a big way on Friday night beating St. Scholastica (4-9, 1-1 UMAC), 77-64. Morris used a 23-2 run to start the game gaining control from the opening tip.

Minnesota Morris began the game on a 13-0 run, before the Saints got on the board. Brendon Foss had fast break steal and dunk to put UMM up 9-0 forcing a quick Saints timeout. The run continued to grow and the Cougars forced another timeout after beating the press break for an easy fast break layup. The lead got as large as 21 at 23-2 before St. Scholastica put together a 7-0 cutting the lead to 13. The Saints got as close as nine in the first half but the Cougars took a 34-24 lead into the break.

In the first half Morris was 14-25 from the field, shooting over 20% better than the Saints to take a ten point lead at the break. RJ Dean had ten points to lead the Cougars in scoring, shooting 4-4 from the field. Eight different Cougars scored in the first half. UMM also had five blocks in the half, three by Foss and two by Evan Reller.

The Saints cut the lead to seven out of the half and kept pressuring the Cougars. They got as close as six but Morris hit four straight three pointers on consecutive possessions to take a 58-40 lead with just over 11:30 remaining. With less than five minutes remaining in the game the Cougars were in control up 74-52.

Morris would finish the second half 8-11 from three on the way to a 77-64 win over the Saints. Dean finished with 19 points, one point shy of his career and season high. Cody Emrick was 5-7 from the field with three long range shots for a total of 13 points. Tyler Pendleton had 12 points thanks to a 4-6 night from behind the arc.

The Cougars would end the night with a 56.9% shooting percentage from the field and 13-22 from three. The 13 made three pointers were a season high and most since hitting 13 against Martin Luther last year. In addition, Morris had a season high 19 assists on 29 made baskets.

Morris remains at home, taking on Northland tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m.