Box Score MORRIS, Minn. – The Minnesota Morris Cougars (13-7, 7-2 UMAC) started hot and were able to pull away from the North Central Rams (8-10, 2-7 UMAC) on Friday night with a 73-51 victory. Cody Emrick had a game high 23 points, two shy of his career high. The Cougars controlled the paint in the victory out rebounding the Rams 42-25 as well as outscoring them 28-18 in the paint.
 
Brendon Foss added 14 points and six rebounds. Neil Helgeson, who started on Friday night, had 13 points and four assists. John Haseman came off the bench for eight points and five rebounds in 18 minutes of action.
 
Minnesota Morris jumped out to a 23-9 lead out of the gate forcing the Rams to scramble. Scramble they did, pulling to within six at 28-22. The Cougars would counter with an 11-3 run to take the 39-25 halftime lead.
 
North Central came out hungry in the second half and put the Cougars on their heels, cutting the lead to six once again. Just like in the waning minutes of the first half Morris countered with a run and taking a 55-39 lead with 10:28 left in the game. They would never look back and increased the lead to twenty with seven minutes left en route to the 73-51 win.
 
Tomorrow the Cougars will take on Northwestern in a battle for first place in the UMAC. Both teams sit at 7-2 in the conference after the Eagles beat Crown on Friday night. Minnesota Morris won 59-56 at Northwestern on January 24.