MORRIS, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Morris men's basketball team played host to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Saturday night in the finale of a double-header.
Looking to end a two-game losing skid, the start for the Cougars was less than ideal.
Surrendering an 11-2 run to start the game, Minnesota Morris was unable to mount a rally large enough to deplete the deficit, falling 75-54.
It was a healthy mix of cold shooting and stifling defense from each team in the early goings of the first half. In fact, the score was only 11-4 in favor of the BluGolds just midway through the quarter. For the first half, Eau Claire shot 33.3 percent while the Cougars held a slight advantage at 36.2 percent.
Then Eau Claire's ball movement on offense started to open up the opportunities from beyond the arch.
Despite only making 6-of-their-17 attempts from beyond the arch, the BluGolds were able to continually capitalize on turnovers by the Cougars. Eau Claire was able to net 26 points off turnovers Saturday night, with 11 of those turnovers coming in the first half. The Cougars were able to force just eight for the game.
Jeffrey Halverson would connect on a three-point attempt at the 8:54-mark of the first half cut the BluGolds' lead to four. Then Eau Claire's offense managed to post a 6-0 rally to increase the lead to 21-11. Halverson was spark the Cougars desperately needed, providing key score-after-score. A Halverson lay-up at the 1:08-mark of the first half would again cut the lead, this time making it 30-25. However, the BluGolds were simply too much. In the final minute of the play in the first half, Eau Claire would mount a 5-0 rally to hold a 10-point lead at the half.
Halverson had a stellar day from the floor for the Cougars. In 32 minutes of action, the senior led the team in scoring with 20 points and five rebounds. Nick Peterson was also a bright spot for the Cougars offensively, scoring 11 points, one steal, one assists and a team-high seven rebounds.
The Cougars will be in action Sunday as they play host to Valley City State University in a non-conference tilt at the P.E. Center. Tip-off is set for 2 P.M.
