ST. PAUL, Minn. - Minnesota Morris outscored Northwestern in only one quarter Friday night, but it was an impressive 19-7 edge in the second quarter that the Cougars used to gain a 60-54 road win in UMAC women's basketball action.

The Cougars big spurt began halfway through the first quarter and lasted through the rest of the half. Northwestern raced out to a 10-1 lead. Minnesota Morris then outscored the Eagles 31-11 the rest of the first half to take a 32-21 lead into halftime.

Elli Stevenson began the run with a 3 to make it 10-4 Eagles. Jordan Halvorson then came off the bench to provide the Cougars with a spark. She connected on back-to-back jumpers to make it 10-8, then Bailey Miller's jumper tied the game at 10. After Northwestern scored the next four points, a Halvorson 3-point play in the final 30 seconds pulled the Cougars within 1 at 14-13 after one quarter.

Minnesota Morris gained control of the game early in the second quarter as Kendra Raths and Mauren Thiesen each drained 3s in the quarter's first minute. Later, three straight baskets from Miller gave UMM their first double-digit lead at 29-16.

The third quarter turned into a stalemate with both teams putting together runs, but the lead was still 11 for the Cougars entering the final quarter. Points were at a premium to start the fourth as neither team hit a field goal until an Andrea Zimpel 3 started a 9-0 run to pulled the Eagles within 54-50 with 2:42 remaining. Stevenson answered with a big 3 to stop the run a minute later and cinch the Cougars' eighth straight win.

Stevenson led the Cougars with 16 points. Thiesen was behind with 14 points. Kendra Raths had another double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Tori Holt grabbed 13 boards.

Minnesota Morris (17-5, 12-1 in UMAC) stays in the twin cities to play at North Central Saturday at 2 p.m.