ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota Morris (16-11) is headed back to the NCAA Tournament after a 63-54 win over Northwestern (17-10) in overtime. Their last appearance came in 2011. Emily Auch had a double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Auch scored 13 of her points from the foul line and was named the UMAC Tournament MVP.
 
The Cougars forced 23 turnovers and it resulted in 18 points offensively. The defense allowed the Cougars to overcome a 27.8% shooting night. The Morris bench outscored the Eagles bench 16-4 in the game. Kendra Wycoff had 15 points. Tori Holt had six points and eight rebounds.
 
After a couple empty trips for both the teams the Cougars struck first to take a 2-0 lead. Northwestern would counter and took a small lead. The big early story line was Wycoff picking up two quick fouls in the opening five minutes of play.
 
Maja Coomes hit a big three to put Morris on to 9-7 with 12 minutes left in the first half. The Cougars used strong defense and a couple big threes, one from Bailey Nordean and one from Jessica Love to maintain a lead.
 
Morris used a 6-0 run to force a Northwestern timeout and after taking an eight point lead with about five minutes to play in the half. The Eagles pulled back within one at 24-23 but Kayla Kraemer hit a shot to give UMM a three point lead at the half.
 
Minnesota Morris forced eight turnovers in the half, while committing just one. UMM also got nine points from their bench in the first 20 minutes of play. Auch led the team with seven points and five rebounds.
 
Auch helped the Cougars take a 33-25 lead out of the break, thanks to three quick baskets.  The lead would grow to 11 at 39-28 after a three point play from Cori Becker. Northwestern would rally back and go on a 14-2 run to take their first lead since the first half at 42-41 with 6:20 to play.
 
The Eagles lead would grow to five with four minutes left but Wycoff hit a big three to bring UMM back within two at 46-44 just moments later. Auch would tie the game at 46 after a pair of free throws with three minutes to play.
 
Northwestern came down and hit a three to gain the lead once again but Wycoff answered with a three of her own. The game stayed tied at 46 for about a minute and then Auch hit a pair of free throws with exactly a minute left to give Morris the lead once again. Morris held that two point lead with 13.3 left but Northwestern would tie it with nine seconds left, sending the game to overtime after two last second shots by UMM missed.
 
Holt struck first for either team in overtime, giving Morris a two point lead once again. The Cougars would hold Northwestern scoreless in the first 4:43 of OT. During that span UMM built up an eight point lead. Auch and Wycoff each had four points in overtime.
 
The NCAA selection show will take place on Monday at 1:30 p.m. and then the Cougars will find out their destination for their first round game. Check back with ummcougars.org for updates and tournament information.