MINNEAPOLIS – The UMN Morris men's basketball team (8-17, 4-12 UMAC) closed out its season with an 86-84 loss at North Central (6-20, 3-13 UMAC) Saturday. Despite falling into an 18-point hole at halftime, the Cougars were able to claw back and make it a one-possession game.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The two teams kept things close for the first 10 minutes of the game as the Cougars led 23-22.

• North Central closed out the first half on a 27-8 run to take a 49-31 lead into halftime.

• The Cougars used the second half to chip away at the North Central lead.

• With 5:59 to go in regulation, Nick Peterson made a layup to bring the score within 10 points at 76-66.

• Dillon Haider then brought the deficit to seven points at 82-75 as he hit one of his 3-pointers on the day.

• The Cougars then went on a 6-0 run capped off on an Ian Carlin layup with 39 seconds to go to bring the score to 84-82.

• Following a pair of Micah Filer free throws, James Pendleton connected on a pair of free throws to make it 86-84 with 14 seconds to play.

• After a Germaine Caldwell free throw miss, Kenneth Riley had a chance at the buzzer to tie the game but his shot didn't fall giving North Central the 86-84 victory.

NOTABLES

• Haider led the Cougars in points with 17, dished out six assists, and secured six rebounds.

• Kenneth Riley tallied 16 points.

• Ian Carlin and Jaret Johnson scored 13 points each.

• The Cougars are slated to return 15 members to the team next season.