MORRIS, Minn. – The Cougars (6-10, 4-1 UMAC) rebounded from a Friday night loss with an inspired 84-72 win over St. Scholastica (6-10, 2-3 UMAC) on Saturday evening. RJ Dean and Neil Helgeson combined for 35 points and UMM shot 60% from the field in the second half to pull away from the Saints.
 
Minnesota Morris would get a made three by five different Cougars in the victory. Dean led the team with 18 points and Helgeson added 17. John Haseman continued his hot shooting, scoring 15 points on 7-9 shooting. Morris was able to overcome CSS' 19 offensive rebound and 24 second chance points to pick up the big win. The benches were big for both teams combining to score 69 of the games 156 points.
 
The game started a bit slow but was close and St. Scholastica by just two after five minutes of play. Neither team found much separation in the opening half, answering each other on each end of the court. The Saints found a little bit of breathing room at the 7:23 mark when they found themselves up eight. The lead did not last long as Morris rallied by going on a 9-2 run.  St. Scholastica led 34-31 with 3:25 left in the first half but the Morris defense stepped up held the Saints to just two more points the rest of the half and took a 40-36 lead after the first half.
 
Morris started the second half on fire going on a 10-2 run and building up a 50-38 lead. Morris would go cold though and making just two baskets from the 15:33 mark until the 8:55 mark, allowing CSS to get as close as three at 59-56. With the score 69-64 in favor of the Cougars and 4:43 on the clock, UMM found their stroke again and scored 12 straight to put the game away.
 
The Cougars will welcome two of the top teams in the UMAC next weekend as North Central and Northwestern invade the P.E. Center.