MORRIS, Minn. – The Minnesota Morris (8-8) men's basketball team lost for the first time since January 2; dropping a close game with Presentation (9-8) 84-81. The Cougars outshot the Saints but Presentation's 12-6 advantage in second chance points were enough to carry them through.
 
CD Douglas led the way with 22 points on 9-13 shooting, he also tallied seven assists. Dylan Erickson had 13 points and John Haseman added ten. Tyler Ukkelberg and Noah Grove each scored nine points in the game.
 
Presentation started the game on a 17-5 run but UMM got back in the game with a 17-5 run of their own, tying the game at 22 with 9:11 on the clock. The Saints tried to take control of the game with a 19-6 run during a five minute span late in the half. Morris trailed by nine at the half time break.
 
Minnesota Morris was unable to cut into the lead early in the second and still trailed by ten with 12:22 left. A 10-2 run sparked by six made free throws drew the Cougars within two. Presentation would recover and pushed their lead up to eight shortly after.
 
Four straight free throws by the Saints gave them an 80-72 lead with 3:22 left in the game. Morris would make one final charge at Presentation with a 9-2 run but a pair of free throws with .8 left in the game secured the win for the PC.
 
After allowing the Saints to shoot 50.0% in the first half, Morris held Presentation to just 34.4% in the second half. Twelve made free throws in the second half helped PC stay just ahead of the Cougars.
 
The Cougars will return to UMAC play on Saturday when they travel to Crown for a 3 p.m. tip.