MORRIS, Minn. - The Minnesota Morris women's basketball team returned to UMAC play Friday night by entertaining North Central at Jim Gremmels Court. Kendra Raths led five Cougars in double figures with 16 points to help run the team's win streak to eight with an 81-47 victory over the Rams.

Raths added seven rebounds, four assists, and seven blocks to go with her 16 points. Mauren Thiesen drained four 3s to aid her 14-point effort. Elli Stevenson totaled 13 points and five assists. Abby Van Kempen recorded another double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds and Bailey Miller added 10 points.

The Cougars overcame a sluggish start quickly. Trailing by 4 early, Van Kempen's 3 midway through the first quarter gave UMM a lead they would not relinquish. Miller followed with another 3 as the Cougars ended the quarter on a 16-2 run to take an 19-8 lead in the second quarter.

Minnesota Morris had another impressive closing to the second quarter, ending it on a 10-2 run as they doubled up the Rams on the scoreboard, 44-22, at the half.

The Cougars' lead would grow to as high as 40 in the second half as they would cruise to the 34-point win.

Minnesota Morris (8-4, 5-0 in UMAC) hosts Northwestern Saturday at 3 p.m.