MORRIS, Minn. – The Cougars (14-11, 9-7 UMAC) exploded offensively on Saturday night, knocking down 17 three point field goals on the way to an 82-53 win over Bethany Lutheran (14-11, 10-6 UMAC). The 17 made three pointers were the most since 2012. Mauren Thiesen scored a career high 27 points and connected on seven made three's. It was the most for a Cougar since Kendra Wycoff in 2013.
 
Minnesota Morris will face the Martin Luther Knights on Monday night at 7:30 p.m. in the UMAC Tournament. The Cougars outscored Bethany Lutheran 47-7 in bench points on the night. Morris outscored the Vikings 53-23 in the second half.
 
It was slow start for both teams in the first quarter but they caught fire late and both teams finished with 13 points in the quarter. Morris tried to pull away in the second quarter going up seven with 5:24 left in the half. Unfortunately the Vikings would close the half on a 13-5 run to take a one point lead at the half.
 
Morris didn't trail long thanks to a 6-0 run to start the second half. The Vikings would never lead again and the Cougars pulled away from Bethany with a 17-4 run, giving UMM a 15 point lead with four minutes to play in the half. Thiesen would hit four three's in the third quarter and Morris headed to the fourth up 61-44.
 
The Cougars continued to roll in the fourth quarter outscoring the Vikings 21-9 in the quarter. Morris finished the game 17-33 from behind the arc.
 
Maja Coomes had 14 points on 5-8 shooting. Elli Stevenson had 13 point, eight rebounds and six assists.