MORRIS, Minn. -- In their first game of 2019, the University of Minnesota Morris Women's basketball team was looking to stretch the conference win streak to two games, playing host to Bethany Lutheran College. 

It was a battle for much of the first half as both teams were deadlocked at 29-29 heading into halftime. 

Then the duo of Kendra Raths and Elli Stevenson started to heat up. 

Each reaching double figures, Raths scored 19 points and Stevenson added 16 as Minnesota Morris managed to fend off the Vikings 76-67 inside the P.E. Center in UMAC action Wednesday night. 

The Cougars held a 55-46 lead after Lexus Eagle Chasing knocked down a three-pointer just 23 seconds into the quarter. From there, back-to-back baskets from Becca Holland and Raths help keep the lead to a three possession contest at 59-51. It seemed as if the Vikings were going to be able to mount a comeback, pulling to within five points until Stevenson twisted her way to the basket for the lay up. Raths would add a lay up of her own at the 2:22-mark of the quarter. However, it appeared that Bethany Lutheran was going to be within striking distance of regaining the lead late, trailing only by four until the Cougars' big three of Stevenson, Raths and Abby Van Kempen would close out the contest. 

It was a good showing for the Cougars' big three as Raths, Stevenson and Van Kempen each reached double-figures. In fact, Raths and Van Kempen each recorded 19 points and grabbed nine rebounds. A special moment with just 28 seconds remaining as Raths connected on the first of a pair of attempts from the charity stripe. With that first successful attempt, she joined Stevenson in the exclusive 1,000 career points club. It was a slow start for the duo of 1,000-point scorers in the first half however, as they combined for nine points in the first half. 

Aside from scoring 16 points off 19 Vikings' turnovers, the biggest factor in the Cougars success tonight was the ability to simply dominant in the paint. Raths and Van Kempen were simply unstoppable underneath, managing to follow up missed shots with quick put backs or simply hauling in the offensive rebound. The Cougars scored 40 of their 76 points in the paint while limiting the Vikings to just 22 on the defensive end. Much of Minnesota Morris' success in the first half could be attributed to the senior forward in Van Kempen. In 10 minutes of action, she led the team with 11 points after going 5-for-6 from the floor. 

The Cougars held the advantage in just about every statistical category for the game, hauling in 41 rebounds, while recording eight steals and three blocks. The Vikings held the advantage in turnovers (19) and free-throw percentage (85.7). 

Minnesota Morris (6-6, 3-1 UMAC) will be back in action Saturday, with a UMAC tilt against North Central University. Tip-off is set for 3 P.M. in Minneapolis.