MORRIS, Minn. – The Cougars (11-9, 8-1 UMAC) improved to 8-1 in the conference thanks to an 84-45 win over the North Central (7-11, 2-7). Minnesota Morris held a 55-28 rebounding advantage in the game. They had 23 offense rebounds which the Cougars turned into 17 second chance points.

Kendra Wycoff had a game high 22 points, she is now 36 points away from 1,000 career points. Brooke Decker had a team high nine points off the bench.

Both teams struggled to find rhythm in the opening few minutes as they remain knotted at seven after four minutes of play. At the midway portion of the half Brooke Decker hit a corner three giving the Cougars an 18-13 lead. North Central hung around for a majority of the first half but the Cougars held a ten point lead with two minutes left in the half. Minnesota Morris ended the half on a 14-0 run to take a 37-18 lead in to the break.

Emily Auch led the way with nine first half points to go along with her nine rebounds. Morris outrebounded the Rams 33-14 in first half. Morris had 18 points in the paint in the first half. Kendra Wycoff added nine first half points as well.

Minnesota Morris extended their lead to 30 with a 21-10 run out of halftime. The lead would grow to 36 with five minutes left in the game as the Cougars coasted to an 84-45 win. Morris finished with a 40-14 advantage in points in the paint. The Cougars bench added 43 points on Friday night.

The win sets up a big game with Northwestern tomorrow at 3 p.m. in the P.E. Center.