MAYVILLE, N.D. - After trailing by double digits at halftime, Minnesota Morris pulled to within 4 in the second half at Mayville State Tuesday night, but they would drop the non-conference men's basketball matchup, 84-77.

The Cougars trailed by 17 early in the second half before staging a rally. Noah Grove started a 9-0 UMM spurt. Jeremy Halverson followed with a 3 and James Sukanen added back-to-back baskets to pull the Cougars within 8 at 50-42. Later Nick Peterson drained back-to-back 3s to make it 60-54 with 12:23 remaining. Six straight points from Grove pulled the Cougars within 4 at 70-66.

UMM was not able to get closer, but did keep the deficit under double digits the remainder of the contest.

Grove led the Cougars with 26 points on 9-of-18 shooting. CD Douglas scored 15 and Sukanen added 11.

Minnesota Morris (0-3) heads to Wisconsin Saturday for a game at UW-Eau Claire.