MORRIS, Minn. – The Cougars clinched a spot in the UMAC Tournament with a hard fought 76-67 win over Martin Luther (11-13, 6-9 UMAC) on Friday. Minnesota Morris (13-11, 8-7 UMAC) outscored the Knights 24-17 at the free throw line and hit two more shots from behind the arc in the win. Cori Becker had a season high 16 points to go along with six rebounds and four assists.
 
Elli Stevenson led all scorers with 17. Tori Holt had 12 points and eight rebounds. Mauren Theisen had ten points thanks to three made three point field goals. Martin Luther was able to stay in the contest thanks to 17 points off turnovers and 13 second chance points.
 
Martin Luther led by five midway through the first quarter but the Cougars went on a 10-2 run in the final three minutes to take three point lead. The lead would balloon to as much as 13 in the opening half and the Cougars went to the break with that advantage.
 
The Cougars would extend the lead to 15 early in the second half but Martin Luther would not go quietly into the night. The Knights cut the lead to eight but still trailed by double digits at the end for three quarters.
 
After the lead grew to as large as 13 in the fourth quarter the Knights cut it down to seven with 4:30 left. Stevenson would respond with a big three pushing the Cougars lead back to double figures. The Knights then got as close as six with about three minutes to play but UMM again hit a big three, this one by senior Kayla Kraemer. It would prove to be the final nail in the coffin as Martin Luther never really threatened the rest of the way.
 
Tomorrow is senior day in the P.E. Center and the Cougars will honor Cori Becker, Maja Coomes and Kayla Kraemer at half time of the men's game. Morris can lock up a home playoff game with a win over Bethany Lutheran.