Box Score MORRIS, Minn. – It took awhile for the Cougars (11-6, 5-1 UMAC) shooting to come alive on Friday, but they were able to erase a seven point deficit and pulled away late for a 78-67 win over Martin Luther (4-14, 3-3 UMAC). The win moves Minnesota Morris to 7-1 at home this season. Evan Reller and Brendon Foss each had double-doubles for the Cougars on the night.
 
Morris held a 22-10 advantage in second chance points which proved important in the win. Reller finished the game with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Foss added a game high 23 points and 11 rebounds. Cody Emrick added 16 points on 4-7 shooting from three. Neil Helgeson came off the bench and provided the Cougars with 13 points. Tyler Pendleton had a career high six assists, as the Cougars had 17 assists on 26 made baskets.
 
Reller converted a three point play early in the first half giving the Cougars an 11-6 lead with 14:02 left. Trailing by two at 14-12 the Knights went on an 11-2 run, taking a seven point lead, their largest of the game, with 6:45 left in the half. Over the next four minutes UMM cut the lead to three on a couple occasions but MLC held a six point lead with just over a minute left. A quick five point burst by the Cougar offense cut the lead to one just before the halftime break.
 
Minnesota Morris took the lead early in the second half on an Emrick layup. The Knights took the lead right back but Morris put together an 13-3 run thanks to a three pointer from Foss and back to back three pointers from Emrick. The Knights got as close as four with ten minutes left in the game but Morris would not let them get any closer. The Cougars converted their free throws late in the game to ice the victory. Morris shot 6-12 from three in the second half which helped them pull off the comeback.

Bethany Lutheran comes to town tomorrow evening for a 5 p.m. tip at the P.E. Center in Morris.