MORRIS, Minn. – The Minnesota Morris (12-10, 10-1 UMAC) women's basketball team clinched a spot in the UMAC Tournament with a 77-56 win over Martin Luther (7-14, 6-5 UMAC) on Friday night. Freshman Bailey Nordean had a career high 13 points thanks to 4-5 shooting from behind the arc. Tori Holt also had 13 points in the game as the two tied for the team lead in points.
 
The Cougars scored the game's first five points but the Knights would get on the board and not let UMM run away from them early. As the half neared the midway point UMM went on an 8-0 run to take a 17-7 lead after a layup from Jessica Love. The lead got as large as 19 before UMM took a 41-26 lead into the halftime break.
 
Morris was 5-10 from behind the arc in the first half. Emily Auch and Holt each had ten first half points for the Cougars. The defense held Martin Luther to just 37.0% shooting in the first half.
 
Martin Luther started the second half on 7-0 run cutting the Morris lead to just eight at 41-33. The Knights cut it six a couple minutes later but UMM responded with a 13-3 run to go up 61-45 with about nine minutes left. Martin Luther never recovered and the Cougars went on to win 77-56.
 
Rebounding was a huge story on Friday night as the Cougars out-rebounded the Knights 55-35. Morris' 22 offensive rebounds resulted in 24 second chance points. Minnesota Morris also got 34 points off the bench, keyed by Nordean's 13.
 
With the win the Cougars move to 10-1 in the UMAC and stay tied with Northwestern for the league lead. Senior night will take place tomorrow at 3 p.m. as Morris plays host to Bethany Lutheran.