MORRIS, Minn. – The Minnesota Morris Cougars (0-1) tried to run down the Concordia Cobbers (1-0) in the second half but CC got hot from three and was able to earn the eight point victory, 69-61. RJ Dean and Neil Helgeson each had 14 points to lead the offense.
 
Concordia made 11 three point shots on the day which proved to be the difference making seven more three's than the Cougars.
 
The game was tight throughout most of the first half. Neither team was able to increase their lead over one possession. With the game tied at 29 and two minutes left in the half the Cobbers went on a quick 5-0 spurt and took a 34-29 lead into the halftime break.
 
Morris shot 44% in the first half as Dean led the way with seven points. Joe Roggenbuck had six points and five rebounds in the first half.
 
The Cobbers lead increased to seven out of the halftime break but the Cougars quickly cut the lead to three after a three pointer from Helgeson and a free throw from Dean. Concordia pushed the lead back to seven once more but the Cougars scored seven straight and tied the game at 42 with 12:43 left in the game.
 
Minnesota Morris was unable to take the lead and then the Cobbers caught fire from behind the arc. Concordia would hit three straight three's and take a five point lead. Helgeson helped keep UMM in it by scoring seven points on three possessions. The Cobbers would hit two more three's, making it five in a row and their lead grew to 11 with 3:39 left in the game. Morris would cut the Cobbers lead to four with 2:29 left after a 7-0 run but UMM never got over the hump and their comeback fell short.
 
On Tuesday the Cougars will host Trinity Bible at 7:30 p.m. and pick up their first win of the very young season.