MORRIS, Minn. – The UMN Morris men's basketball team (5-12, 2-7 UMAC) came up short against Bethany Lutheran (13-5, 8-1 UMAC) as the Vikings topped the Cougars, 91-77, Saturday afternoon inside the Cougar Sports Center. Sophomore Kenneth Riley tallied a career-best 24 points on the day.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Vikings jumped out early over the Cougars to take a 12-2 lead.
   
• Despite the 10-point hole, UMN Morris slowly chipped away and ended up taking a 17-15 lead over Bethany Lutheran.
   
• After trailing by eight late in the first half, the Cougars were able to bring the score within three points a few times, but the Vikings took a six-point lead at 38-32 into halftime.
   
• The Vikings used a 10-2 run to build a 14-point lead over the Cougars to open the second half.
   
• With 9:01 to play in regulation, Trent Jerome made a layup to bring the Cougars within five points at 62-57.
   
• Bethany Lutheran then built their lead back to double-digits and never looked back en route to the 91-77 victory.

NOTABLES

• Freshman Jaret Johnson finished the game with 16 points and a team-high seven rebounds.
   
• Sophomore Zack Bubany recorded a career-best 11 point outing.
   
• After a slow start from 3-point range in the first half going 2-for-8, the Cougars were 8-for-17 from behind the arc in the second half.

UP NEXT
The Cougars travel to Ellendale, North Dakota, to take on Trinity Bible College on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 7:30 p.m.