MOORHEAD, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris men's basketball team used a big run spanning the first and second halves to build a 13-point lead over Concordia College-Moorhead on Wednesday, holding on down the stretch for a 74-69 win over the Cobbers in the season opener for both teams.

The Cougars were dialing things up from long range early on, with three-pointers from Blake Munson, Jarrett Kujava, and Jacob Brooks giving Minnesota Morris a 13-10 lead after eight minutes. 

Concordia would buckle down on defense over the ensuing few minutes and take a 24-19 edge with just under five minutes left in the half. Jaret Johnson got the offense rolling again with back-to-back baskets to make it 24-23.

In the closing minutes of the first half, Munson was fouled on a three-pointer but made just one of the three at the charity stripe. However, Kenny Placide tipped the rebound back out to Munson on the third foul shot and Munson buried a triple to make it 27-26. That momentum carried over to the defensive end as the Cougars kept the Cobbers off the board the rest of the half while another Munson triple gave Minnesota Morris a 30-26 advantage at the break.

The barrage continued with Munson nailing a three on the first possession of the second half. A pair of Ian Carlin baskets then sandwiched two Pal Dak free throws to extend the Minnesota Morris lead to 39-26.

The Cobbers worked their way back into the contest with a 7-0 run before Johnson knocked down a three to keep Minnesota Morris in front, 42-33.

Concordia would get as close as one point, making it a 51-50 contest on a three-pointer from Zach Johnson with 6:31 remaining. Minnesota Morris had the answer with Dak knocking down a three and Corbyn Alexander making a pair at the line to push the Cougar lead back to six, 56-50, with 5:42 remaining.

A layup from David Birkeland brought Concordia within three, 65-62, with just under a minute to go before an ill-timed foul on the inbounds allowed Johnson to can a pair at the stripe. Following a missed three from the Cobbers, Carlin ended with a breakaway layup. Two more free throws from Alexander with just under 30 seconds left increased the Cougar edge to 71-62 and essentially sealed the win.

Dak led all scorers in the game with 19. Johnson added 14, Munson had 13, and Carlin finished with 12. Alexander had a game-high eight rebounds and added four assists. 

Minnesota Morris is back in action on Friday night, traveling to Illinois to face Rockford University at 5 p.m.