ST. PAUL, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris women's basketball team had a pair of chances to tie the game in the closing seconds, but ultimately fell to the Northwestern Eagles, 62-57, Wednesday at the Ericksen Center.

Minnesota Morris is now 15-9 overall and 11-4 in conference play, while Northwestern is now 12-12 overall and 9-6 in conference action.

For the Cougar offense, Kendra Raths led the way with 16 points, while Lexus Eagle Chasing scored 15 points and Abby Van Kempen chipped in 13 points. Along with her 16 points, Raths recorded nine rebounds.

After the Cougars built an 11-3 lead over the first 4:06 of play, the Eagles responded with a 13-2 run to make it a 16-13 contest with 1:36 left in the opening quarter. With 15 seconds to go in the first quarter, Eagle Chasing connected on a 3-pointer to tie the game at 16 points apiece.

The Eagles then outscored the Cougars by a margin of 9-6 to take a 25-22 lead into halftime.

The third quarter saw both offenses open up as the two teams combined for 45 points. The Cougars found success in the third quarter on second chance points with 12. With the first 30 minutes in the books, the score was tied at 46 points.

Raths put the Cougars in front first in the fourth quarter with a layup with 9:29 to go, but the Eagles then responded with a 6-0 run to take a 52-48 lead with 6:56 to play.

Minnesota Morris brought the game within two points twice down the stretch, but the Cougars weren't able to even things up.

Following a pair of free throw misses by Northwestern with 33 seconds left in regulation, the Cougars had two looks from 3-point range, but the shots didn't fall and Northwestern secured the 62-57 victory with a pair of free throws.

Minnesota Morris returns home to the Cougar Sports Center for Senior Day on Saturday, Feb. 16. The Cougars will host Northland in the 2018-19 regular season finale for both teams.