Box Score NEW ULM, Minn. – Despite not being able to overcome the Martin Luther Knights (6-19, 5-9 UMAC) on Saturday afternoon, falling 71-66 the Minnesota Morris Cougars (16-9, 10-4 UMAC) will be the number two seed in the UMAC Tournament. The Cougars will host Crown College at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday night.
 
The Cougars shot just. 35.1% from the field on the night, their fourth lowest total of the season in the loss. Neil Helgeson led all Minnesota Morris players with 14 points and Cody Emrick added 12. Brendon Foss finished with 11 points and will need three more on Wednesday night to reach 1,000 in his career, a feat he can accomplish at home.
 
Both Minnesota Morris and Martin Luther battled back and forth early on in the first half, there were five ties in the opening seven minutes of play. The Knights went on a 7-0 run to take a 24-20 lead with 7:30 remaining in the half. After the Cougars pulled back even with 5:10 left, Martin Luther finished the half on a 12-3 run, taking a nine point lead into the half.
 
The Knights had a 22-12 advantage in points in the paint in the first twenty minutes of play.
 
Trailing by nine out of the break, the Cougars would cut the lead to four but the Knights responded. They would go on an 11-3 run, pushing their lead to 12 with 12:46 left. Minnesota Morris never fully recovered from that run despite cutting that lead to two possessions a couple different occasions. The closest they would get was four points with 11 second left but it was a little too late for the Cougars.
 
Martin Luther finished with a 36-20 advantage in points in the paint. They also out shot the Cougars 50.8%-35.1% in the game. Minnesota Morris stayed in the game thanks to a 19-8 advantage in made free throws.