MANKATO, Minn. – The Minnesota Morris (6-8, 3-4 UMAC) offense could not overcome 23 turnovers in a 57-53 loss to Bethany Lutheran (7-8, 4-3 UMAC) on Friday night. A late run nearly allowed the Cougars to force overtime but the Vikings held on just long enough. Neither team shot the ball particularly well, but did combine to shoot 34-38 from the foul line.
 
The Cougars did not start well in the first quarter, turning the ball over on their first four possessions and did not make a shot from the field until the 5:43 mark. However the Cougars defense kept them in the game and Morris led 7-4 after the three from Allie McLaughlin. Bethany would go on a 7-0 run to take the lead back and held a 17-13 lead after a quarter of play.
 
Morris would tie the game early in the second quarter thanks to back-to-back three pointers. Unfortunately, the Vikings would outscore the Cougars 9-3 the rest of the quarter and they held a 28-22 halftime advantage.
 
Bethany would extend their lead in the third quarter and took a 14 point lead into the final quarter of play. The Vikings led by 15, at 55-40, with 4:40 left but could not deliver a knockout punch. Morris would start chipping away at the BLC lead, going on a 13-0 run and cutting the deficit to just two with 20 seconds left.
 
During the run the UMM defense forced five turnovers and held the Vikings to 0-4 shooting. Unfortunately for Morris, Bethany would ice the game with a pair of free throws with 14 seconds left, giving them a four point win.
 
Mauren Theisen led the team with 14 points, setting a new career high. Kendra Raths added 11 points and three rebounds. Cori Becker had four points, four rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Tori Holt led the team with ten rebounds.
 
Morris will attempt to get back in the win column tomorrow evening when they take on Martin Luther at 5 p.m.