MORRIS, Minn. – The Cougars (13-10, 11-1 UMAC) needed a second half rally, but did pick up a 68-55 win over Bethany Lutheran (7-16, 6-6 UMAC) on "Senior Night". With the win Minnesota Morris secured a home playoff game on February 28. The Cougars sit in first place by a game with two to go, leading Northwestern by a game. Those two teams meet in St. Paul next Friday night.
 
Both teams struggled in the early going but it was Bethany who had the advantage holding an 11-9 lead after ten minutes of play. The Vikings tried to pull away going up 23-16 late in the first half. Morris would yank back and got within five. It was as close as they could get before the break.
 
The first half featured three ties and three lead changes. The Cougars shot just 25.9% from the field in the twenty minutes which allowed the Vikings to build up a 25-20 lead at half.
 
Kendra Wycoff came out in the second half and did her best to make sure she did not lose on a night that saw her and three of her teammates be honored. Wycoff would score14 points in the first 6:31 of the second half while the Cougars went on a 22-11 run and took a 42-36 lead.
 
Once the Cougars took the lead they never looked back and the Vikings never got closer than five the rest of the way. Wycoff would finish the night with 25 points, 22 in the second half.

Emily Auch had a nice night as well scoring 13 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Tori Holt had nine points and nine rebounds. Connor Lewis led the team with five assists. Jessica Love led the Cougars off the bench scoring seven points. The Morris bench outscored the Vikings bench 16-8 on the evening.