ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota Morris (13-11, 11-2 UMAC) went on a furious second half rally but fell 64-58 to Northwestern (15-9, 11-2 UMAC) on Friday night. Kendra Wycoff had 15 points, all in the second half to lead Morris. The Cougars can still clinch a share of the UMAC Regular Season Title with a win over North Central tomorrow.
 
Northwestern was able to hold Morris off the scoreboard in the first five minutes of play but only scored six points offensively themselves. Morris would miss their first ten shots of the game before Jessica Love hit a three to cut the UNW led in half. The Eagles would respond with a 7-0 run to take a 13-3 lead and force a UMM timeout at 12:12.
 
The lead would get up to 12 before Morris cut back down to single digits after two FT's from Tori Holt. The deficit would not stay in single digits long as Northwestern scored five straight pushing their lead to 13 with just under seven minutes to play in the first half.
 
The Cougars continued to struggle from the field as Northwestern made 11-20 from the field to go up 26-11 with just over four minutes to go in the first half. The Cougars went into the locker room trailing 28-16. Northwestern held UMM to 6-30 shooting in the half while making 52.2% of their attempts.
 
The defense for the Cougars forced 10 UNW turnovers in the first 20 minutes of play, helping them stay within reach of the Eagles. Tori Holt and Connor Lewis each had four rebounds in the first half.
 
Minnesota Morris went on a 7-0 out of the break to cut the lead in half, making it 28-21. After going scoreless in the first half, Wycoff scored six quick points in the second. The Cougars would start the half on a 14-9 run to cut the lead to three with 15:15 left.
 
The lead would get cut all the way down to one at 40-39 before Northwestern sent a response, scoring four straight. The Cougars would not be denied and tied the game at 44. Morris would tie the game up on two more occasions before Holt gave them a 54-52 lead with 5:18 left.
 
The Eagles would hit a big three and go back in the lead moments later. Holt once again put UMM on top, this time doing so at the foul line. Northwestern responded and scored three straight, going up by two with 2:29 left on the clock.
 
With the game tied at 58 and just over a minute to play the Eagles took advantage of a UMM turnover and hit a three to go up 61-58 with 51 seconds left. Morris was unable to score again and fell 64-58.
 
Holt finished the game with 12 points and seven rebounds. Kayla Kraemer added 10 points. Connor Lewis continued to distribute the ball, dishing out five assists.
 
Morris was 6-10 from three in the second half, after hitting 2-15 in the first half. Northwestern outscored UMM 24-12 in the paint on the evening.