MORRIS, Minn. - Coming from two consecutive losses, the University of Minnesota Morris Men's basketball team hosted the University of Wisconsin-Superior on Saturday.

Although UW-Superior did their best to hold Minnesota Morris - tying the game a total of seven times - the Cougars' shot accuracy proved too much in the Cougars' 84-77 UMAC Conference home opener inside the PE Center.

The game was close throughout the first half with much back and forth.

UW-Superior shot 43.33 percent while the Cougars shot 56.00 percent. After Trey Heinsuis connected on a layup to give the Cougars a 33-25 lead, Kenneth Riley knocked down a three-pointer to give Minnesota Morris a 33-25 lead at the 4:26-mark of the first quarter. Despite a strong 8-0 run by the Yellowjackets, Morris ended the first half with a slim 37-36.

The game remained close early in the second half. In fact, both teams increased their shot percentage in the second half. UW-Superior shot 53.57 percent while the Cougars shot 68.75 percent. With 7:35 left in the game, UW-Superior took the lead one last time 69-68. A layup by James Pendleton brought the Cougars back into the lead. After that, Morris did not give them a chance to gain a lead. A three pointer by Noah Grove brought the Cougars to a four-point lead (73-69), which his team maintained and increased to a seven-point lead (84-77) by the final buzzer. Minnesota Morris was able to extend to that seven-point lead by way of a 6-0 run. Grove had another strong showing, scoring 13 points and tallying four assists. 

Pendleton was the leading scorer for the Cougars with 23 points.

The Cougars (3-5, 1-1 UMAC) will be on the road to play Augsburg University on Tuesday, Dec. 11 at 7 P.M.