MORRIS, Minn. – For the second straight week Minnesota Morris will be playing in the UMAC Game of the Week. This week the Cougars (7-9, 5-0 UMAC) take on Northwestern (9-7, 5-0 UMAC) on Saturday afternoon. Prior to the UMAC Game of the Week, UMM hosts North Central (5-10, 1-4 UMAC) on Friday evening.
Both the Cougars and Eagles head into Friday with a 5-0 record in the conference. Saturday's matchup will conclude the first trip through the UMAC schedule. It will also be the last of four straight home games for UMM.
Since UMAC play has begun the Cougars have done a better job protecting the ball, knocking off three turnovers per game. Their defense has also picked up, forcing over 21.6 turnovers per game in the UMAC. Morris has also been able to get to the foul line recently, averaging over 20 free throw attempts per game.
Minnesota Morris has found their stroke from behind the arc in conference play, hitting 42% of their shots and averaging 7.4 makes per game. Opponents are making just two 3's per game while shooting 10-67 from behind the arc. This will be something to watch with the number one three point shooting team in the league, Northwestern, coming to town.
North Central comes into the game having lost five of their last seven. They are 1-4 in the UMAC having beat Northland 78-62 on January 16. The Rams are led by a tandem of Jamie High and Lizzy Swanson who combine for over 29 points per game, over 50% of the teams scoring.
On the year, the Rams are scoring 53.8 points per game while shooting 36.9% from the field. No other Rams outside of High or Swanson is shooting about 40% on the season. Opponents have been able to turn the Rams over, averaging 11.7 steals and forcing 19.4 turnovers per game.
Northwestern comes in averaging 66.3 points per game, second only to UMM in the conference. The Eagles also do a good job dishing out the ball averaging over 13 assists per contest.
Chanel Madson leads UNW in scoring, averaging 15.4 points and 2.7 made three's per game. Northwestern has four other scorers who average at least eight points per game this season. Jacki Smith leads the Eagles in the paint, averaging 8.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.1 blocks per contest.
