MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Minnesota Morris (4-2, 2-0 UMAC) pulled off a come from behind 59-58 win over North Central (2-6, 0-1 UMAC), thanks to a game winning three from senior Maja Coomes. The Cougars trailed for most of the game, including by 11 with 8:09 left.
 
Morris scored the first basket of the game giving them a 2-0 lead 1:23 into the game, little did anyone know that it would be their largest lead all game. North Central led by six 13-7 late in the first quarter but the Cougars finished the half on an 8-0 run to take a 15-13 lead at the first break.
 
The Cougars would hold another two point lead at 17-15 but the Rams took the lead back at 18-17 with a three pointer and Morris would not lead again until the three from Coomes. North Central took a 29-27 lead into the locker room at halftime.
 
UMM tied the game twice in the third quarter but could not find a way to grab a lead. With the score tied at 36 and 5:41 left in the third quarter, North Central went on a 12-3 run the rest of the quarter.
 
The Rams would push their lead to double digits at 52-41 before the Cougars made their comeback. Morris put together an 8-2 run cutting the lead to four. North Central did not fold, pushing the lead back to seven with two and half minutes remaining. The Morris defense dug in and did not allow the Rams to score the rest of the way.


Kayla Kraemer hit a pair of free throws to bring the Cougars within two. After a missed jumper from the Rams, Cori Becker found Coomes alone in the corner and Coomes knocked down the shot to give UMM with 59-58 win.
 
GAME NOTES:
·         Minnesota Morris scored 20 points off 18 NCU turnovers.
·         North Central got just two points from their bench, UMM got 12.
·         Both teams shot under 36% in the game.
·         Lizzy Swanson (27) and Marissa Kari (19) combined for 46 of the Rams 58 points.
·         Kendra Raths had a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
·         The largest lead for UMM in the game was just two.
·         Morris had 15 assists on 21 made shots from the field.
·         UMM had 16 offensive rebounds to the Rams 8, but North Central outscored the Cougars 14-8 in second chance points.
·         Elli Stevenson had a career high six assists.
·         Raths and Stevenson each had 14 points for Morris.
·         Tori Holt and Kraemer each added seven points.