Box Score MORRIS, Minn. – The Cougars (12-6, 6-1 UMAC) won their sixth straight game on Saturday afternoon and now sit alone in first place in the UMAC following a 70-55 win over Bethany Lutheran (4-14, 4-4 UMAC). Cody Emrick had 19 points in 35 minutes of action.
 
Both the Cougars and Vikings went toe to toe early and the score was deadlocked at nine with 15:34 left in the first half. Over the next three minutes of play Morris went on an 11-2 run, taking a 20-11 lead. Five different Cougars had a basket during the run. Bethany Lutheran closed to within two with eight minutes left in the half. An 8-2 Vikings run put them back in the lead, 36-34 with just over three minutes left in the half. Evan Reller scored the Cougars last six points of the half and took a 39-36 lead at the break.
 
RJ Dean connected on a layup and a three pointer out of halftime pushing the lead to eight at 44-36. The Cougars started the half on an 18-7 run pushing their lead to 14 with 7:11 left in the game. Bethany Lutheran hit back with a 7-0 run to cut the lead in half but UMM countered with a 7-0 run of their own pushing the lead back to 14 with 2:12 left. The Vikings were unable to respond to the final punch the Cougars threw and Morris walked away with a 70-55 win.
 
Minnesota Morris hit seven three's on the night and used a 13-8 advantage in points off turnovers to create separation from the Vikings. Reller finished the game with 11 points and nine rebounds. Brendon Foss had 12 points and eight rebounds. John Haseman had eight points off the bench to lead the Cougars bench scoring. The team had a 14-7 assist to turnover ratio as well and forced 15 Viking turnovers.
 
The home stand will continue on Tuesday as the Crown College Storm come to town for a 7:30 tip.