MINNEAPOLIS – The University of Minnesota Morris men's basketball team claimed its UMAC opener on Friday night with a 67-59 victory over North Central University. The win lifts the Cougars to 5-4 (1-0 UMAC), while the Rams drop to 6-4 (0-1 UMAC).

A back-and-forth first half ended with Minnesota Morris out in front by two. North Central took its largest lead of the night, 19-12, midway through the half. Pal Dak capped a 13-5 stretch over the next six minutes to put the Cougars back in front and his two free throws in the final minute of the half sent UMN Morris to the break with a 29-27 edge.

The Rams went up by four early in the second half before Jarrett Kujava hit consecutive three-pointers to give Minnesota Morris a 43-41 lead. With the score knotted at 43-43, a pair of Blake Munson jumpers sandwiched two free throws from Kujava to form a 6-0 run that gave the Cougars the lead for good. Over the final seven minutes, the Minnesota Morris defense held North Central to just two field goals, one of which came in the final seconds with the game already decided. Noah Kannegiesser scored the final nine points of the night for the Cougars to seal it.

Kannegiesser finished with a game-high 22 points. Dak had 16 (6-of-8 from the floor). Kujava, Munson, and Ian Carlin all added eight points apiece.

The final game of the calendar year for the Cougars comes tomorrow with a 3 p.m. tip-off at the University of Northwestern.