MORRIS, Minn. – Aiming to head into the Thanksgiving break with a win, the University of Minnesota-Morris hosted a non-conference game with Mayville State University.
It was a tight contest early, but turnovers and a stifling defense proved too much for the Comets.
Forcing 20 turnovers and capitalizing at the free throw line, the Cougars raced to a 62-43 win over the Comets Tuesday night inside the P.E. Center.
The Cougars starting out strong, grinding to a 5-point lead early in the contest. The Comets tied the game 5-5 with 6:27 left in the first quarter, but the Cougars did not allow the score to be tied for long. Less than a minute later, Becca Holland found Lexie Winters – who connected on a shot from beyond the arch - put the Cougars back in the lead. Winter's layup 2:03 left in first quarter would increase the Minnesota Morris lead.  It was a good showing for Winters, going 3-for-5 for eight points.
In the second quarter, the Comets appeared to gain momentum, taking the lead midway through the quarter. However, the Cougars kept it close for the remaining 5:46 in the half, with their largest deficit being five points. At the end of half, Comets had the lead 25-21. Facing a small deficit to start the second half, Kendra Raths brought the game to 25-25 tie after driving the lane for the layup. Shortly thereafter, Elli Stevenson's bucket gave the Cougars a two-point lead.
Then the Cougars took off.
Minnesota Morris outscored the Comets 16-2 to build a 38-27 lead. Continuing their impressive run of stifling defense and hot shooting in the final quarter, the Cougars sustained a 19-point lead with 1:54 left in the game.
Stevenson led all scorers with 14 points, followed by Raths with 12. Lexus Eagle Chasing, Holland, and Van Kempen each pulled down eight rebounds.