MORRIS, Minn. – The men's and women's basketball team is home for a very important pair of games this weekend. Northwestern and North Central will come to the P.E. Center for crucial conference matchups. Friday night is 90's night against Northwestern and Saturday is a white out vs North Central.
 
 
MEN
 
Morris lost to both on the road early in the UMAC season. The earlier game with the Rams was a tough two point loss for the Cougars, as North Central erased a 16 point second half deficit to beat the Cougars 82-80. Northwestern beat UMM by a score of 91-79.
 
CD Douglas is leading the way for the Cougars this year with 20.9 points per game, and shooting an impressive 60 percent from the field; he is second in the UMAC in both categories.
 
A win over Northwestern would give UMM their second home win over the Eagles in their last three home games. The Cougars will need to win on Saturday to avoid being swept by North Central in a season series for the first time. Morris is 1-0 all-time in the UMAC Game of the Week.
 
NOTES:

• NCU senior Cody Martin is currently tied with the Cougars CD Douglas for the league lead in assists per game (5.4) but has posted 8.0 APG over the last four games.
• The Cougars are 9-2 when holding the opponent to under 45% shooting.
• NCU senior Josh High comes into the weekend needing 8 more 3PTM to set the NCU record while already shooting a Rams career record pace .410 percentage.
• UMM's CD Douglas has scored in double figures every game this year.
• In their last matchup UMM outscored the Rams 24-8 in the paint in the first half, but North Central would score 26 points in the paint during their second half comeback to defeat the Cougars.
• Ram freshman Jared High currently leads the UMAC in 3PT percentage shooting an even .500 on the year (46-92).
• Northwestern has six players averaging at least ten points per game.
• Regular starter Porter Morrell, who averages 10.7 points per game, did not play last weekend.
• The Eagles shoot 50.4% from the field as a team.

 
WOMEN
 
Minnesota Morris has won two straight games, something they have done four times this year. Unfortunately each time the Cougars have lost their next game. Northwestern beat the Cougars in overtime in St. Paul earlier this year. Maja Coomes hit a late three for UMM in their win over North Central this season.
 
Last week the Cougars had four starters score in double figures against Crown in St. Bonifacius. Four regular starters are averaging at least eight points per game.
 
NOTES:

• Morris had season high 27 turnovers in their first game with Northwestern but still took the Eagles to overtime.
• The Cougars have averaged 22 made free throws in the past two games.
• In the last five games the Morris defense has held the opponent to 29.8% shooting.
• Kendra Raths is averaging 11.4 points per game over the last five games.
• Northwestern is shooting 44.0% from the field this season.
• The Eagles second leading scorer, Jessica Cole, comes off the bench.
• Four Eagles are averaging over nine points per game.
• Lizzy Swanson and Jamie High are averaging a total of 34 points per game, nearly 60% of the team scoring per game.
• North Central beat Finlandia by 17 points last time out.