MANKATO, Minn. - Coming off an impressive win Saturday at Gustavus Adolphus, Minnesota Morris traveled back to south central Minnesota Wednesday night to face Bethany Lutheran in a matchup between two UMAC teams unbeaten in conference play. The Cougar men made a late comeback, but suffered a 91-85 setback to the Vikings.

The Cougars had a great start to the game as they jumped out to a 10-3 lead. Noah Grove and Jeremy Halverson each drained 3s and CD Douglas followed with back-to-back baskets. UMM maintained a lead until Bethany tied the game at 17. The Vikings built a seven-point edge, but Halverson and James Pendleton hit key 3s to pull UMM within 3 by halftime at 38-35.

Bethany built a 17-point lead in the second half, but the backcourt duo of Grove and Douglas led a comeback to make things interesting down the stretch. Grove and Douglas combined for six straight to pull the Cougars within 81-70 with 3:39 remaining. Grove hit five consecutive free throws to cut the deficit to single digits at 84-75. Baskets from Douglas and a lay-in from Halverson pulled the Cougars within 5 at 86-81 with 38 seconds left. That was as close the Cougars would get as the Vikings hit their free throws down the stretch to come away with the six-point victory.

Grove was one point off his career high with 30 points while making all 11 of his free throws. Douglas scored 26 and Halverson added 14.

Minnesota Morris (4-8, 3-1 in UMAC) returns home to face North Central Saturday at 3 p.m.