DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota Morris (10-10, 6-6 UMAC) picked up a 47-39 win over St. Scholastica (8-13, 5-7 UMAC) thanks to a huge defensive effort in the UMAC Game of the Week. The Cougars held the Saints to just 16.4% shooting in the contest, the lowest for an opponent since Trinity Bible shot just 13.8% on Nov. 19, 2013.
 
The Saints made just ten field goals in the contest, the lowest for an opponent since Trinity Bible made just eight the same night they shot 13.8% from the field. St. Scholastica was held to just four made field goals in the final three quarters and just 2-27 in the second half.
 
For Morris, the 47 points scored was the fewest in a win based on results dating back to 1998.  The only known win with a similar offensive score was a 48-46 win over Northwestern on January 14, 2006.
 
The Saints hit back-to-back 3's to start the game with six quick points. CSS started the game 2-2 from the field but would go ice cold the rest of the way, shooting just 8-60 the rest of the game. Morris would respond and outscored CSS 16-9 the rest of the quarter, taking a 16-15 lead after one quarter of play.
 
There wasn't much scoring in the first five minutes of the second quarter but the Cougars maintained a one point lead at 18-17. St. Scholastica would tie the game at 18 with a free throw with 4:11 left in the half. Jordan Halvorson gave the Cougars the lead by making a turnaround jumper in the lane in the next possession.
 
Scholastica took a lead after a three from Leah Hamm but senior Maja Coomes answered her with a three just moments later and Morris led once again. UMM couldn't hold the lead and CSS converted an old fashion three point play to take a 24-23 lead at the break.
 
The scoring was balanced for the Cougars in the first half. Seven different Cougars had at least one basket in the first half. The bench accounted for nine points in half number one. Morris held the Saints to just 22.9% shooting in the half.
 
The Cougar defense held Scholastica without a point for the first 4:30 of the second half, building up a 30-24 lead. Morris would cling to a two point lead 32-30, after three quarters. All six points for CSS in the quarter came at the foul line. The Saints shot 0-11 in third quarter from the field.
 
CSS would be held without a made field goal until Holly Peterson connected on a fast break layup with just over six minutes left in the game. Thanks to the strong defensive effort the Cougars lead had grown to eight before the made basket.
 
Morris could not run away from the Saints and led by just three with 2:08 left in the game. The defense continued clamp down on CSS and Morris put the game away at the foul line. Elli Stevenson would score six of her 13 points at the foul line in the final 2:20 of the game.
 
Kendra Raths had 12 rebounds to lead all players in that category; she would also add eight points offensively. Halvorson had six points off the bench, one shy of her season high.
 
Tomorrow the Cougars will take on a very good Wisconsin-Superior team at 5 p.m. The Yellowjackets are 12-0 in UMAC play.