ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – Minnesota Morris (0-1) nearly erased an 11 point deficit in the second half but ultimately fell 50-43 to St. Ben's (1-0) on Saturday. Emily Auch had a career high 16 rebounds to go along with ten points for the Cougars. Tori Holt had 12 points to lead the offense while also grabbing 15 rebounds.
 
Morris jumped on St. Ben's early in the game, holding a 13-5 lead after six minutes of play. The Blazers would climb back in the game over the next few minutes but the Cougars maintained a lead. The lead was still six with fewer than seven minutes to play in the half. Saint Ben's was able to tie the game at 18 with just over a minute left in the half.
 
Tori Holt hit a jumper just before the halftime buzzer went off cutting the Blazers lead to just one at 21-20. Auch had seven points and ten rebounds in the first half. Morris held St. Ben's to just 30.8% shooting in the first half of play.
 
The Blazers offense came out of the break with some momentum and quickly took a ten point lead at 30-20. The lead would grow to 35-24 after five minutes of play in the second half. Morris still trailed by double-digits at the halfway point of the second half, 38-28. Minnesota Morris' defense stepped up and the Cougars slowly cut the lead to two. The Blazers were held to just two points over a 6:43 stretch.
 
Minnesota Morris was unable to find a way to tie the game up and the Blazers hit a three pointer with a minute left to put the game away for good. Morris was held to just 26.8% shooting in the game. Shooting 4-12 from the line also proved to be a downfall for UMM as the Blazers countered with ten made free throws.
 
Tomorrow the Cougars will do battle with #24 St. Mary's at 1 p.m.