MORRIS, Minn. - If all 25 regular season games are going to end like the season opener Tuesday night, we will be in for one heck of a season.

Concordia's Austin Nelson led all scorers with 28 points, but his free throw attempt for his 29th point to tie the game with 0.4 seconds left was short. Minnesota Morris' Jeremy Halverson secured the rebound to give the Cougars a thrilling, come-from-behind, 71-70 win in the season opener at Jim Gremmels Court in men's basketball non-conference action.

The missed free throw was the capper on an amazing final nine minutes of action that saw neither team lead by more than three points. Trailing 66-63, Noah Grove hit a clutch 3 to knot the game with 4:03 remaining. The teams then exchanged baskets with Tyler Ukkelberg's lay-in from the left side tied the game at 68 with 1:17 left. Free throws from Halverson and Grove and the Cougars a 71-68 edge before the game's frantic final seconds. Concordia's Dylan Alderman missed a 3 with the long rebound coming out the Nelson who was fouled attempting a 3 as time expired. After 0.4 was put back on the clock, Nelson rattled in his first two tries, before the final miss.

It was a comeback effort for the Cougars who trailed by as many as 13 in the first half (40-27) before closing the half on a 9-3 run to trail 43-36 at halftime.

UMM scored the first nine points out of the locker room to take a 45-43 lead. Ukkelberg scored five points in the run including a 3 on his way to a co-team-high 23 points. CD Douglas shared team-high scoring honors with Ukkelberg and also added seven assists and four steals.

The Cougars shot 50 percent from the floor and committed only six turnovers.

Minnesota Morris (1-0) travels to Mayville State for their first road contest of the season Thursday.