Box Score VALLEY CITY, N.D. – The Minnesota Morris Cougars (6-4) could not overcome the Valley City State Vikings scoring in the paint, falling 64-55 on Saturday evening. The Vikings outscored the Cougars 33-14 in the paint on their way to a nine point victory. A strong shooting performance, especially in the first half also helped propel VCSU.
 
Brendon Foss was the lone Cougar in double figures on Saturday with 10 points; he also added six rebounds, which led the team. RJ Dean and Brodie Raymond each had nine points. Raymond scored his nine points in just eight minutes of action. The Cougars bench kept them in the game, scoring 22 points on the day.
 
It was a tight first half and the Cougars led 13-12 eight minutes in before the Vikings made a run to take a 24-15 lead. The lead would get as large as 11 in the first half before a 6-0 run cut the lead to five at the break. The run would continue into the second half as UMM hit a pair of three's after an early free throw by the Vikings to tie the game.
 
Valley City would counter, going on a 9-2 run to take a seven point lead in the opening six minutes of the second half. Morris would not be able to get any closer than six the rest of the way and the Vikings pulled away in the final ten minutes of the second half.
 
The Vikings Aaron Duske had 27 points on the afternoon to lead them offensively.
 
Minnesota Morris will be back on the court Tuesday night as they are on the road again at Presentation.