MINNEAPOLIS – The University of Minnesota Morris women's basketball rallied from 14 points down in the fourth quarter to cut it to two on Friday at North Central University before the Rams held on for a 75-69 victory in the UMAC opener for both teams. The Rams improve to 6-4 (1-0 UMAC), while the Cougars fall to 1-7 (0-1 UMAC).

Minnesota Morris had a fast start to the contest as Jay Kwateh opened the scoring after 10 seconds before a turnover and layup for Malory Anderson gave the Cougars a 4-0 lead after 20 seconds of play. The Cougar lead grew as high as eight points in the opening quarter before they ended with a 16-12 edge heading into the second quarter.

North Central nabbed its first lead a minute into the second quarter and the teams battled the rest of the half to stay out in front. After the Rams took a 32-29 lead with just under three minutes to go, the Cougar defense clamped down and didn't allow a point the remainder of the half. Three free throws from UMN Morris made it a 32-32 deadlock at the half.

A Jadyn Sondrol three-pointer three minutes into the second half brought Minnesota Morris within one, 41-40, but a 9-1 run over the next five minutes followed for North Central. The Rams then had a three-pointer from Joelle Talso go down just before the buzzer to take a 55-48 advantage into the final quarter.

Mia Mabang hit a pair of threes to open the fourth for North Central and the lead reached 14 points midway through the frame. With Kwateh serving as a disruptor on defense, the Cougars weren't quite done. A series of NCU turnovers and buckets from Minnesota Morris made up the bulk of a 12-1 run in a three-minute span to bring the Cougars back within three, 67-64, with just under two minutes to go. Soon after, Tariq Brownotter made a pair at the line and got UMN Morris within two, 69-67. 

The key play for the Rams happened around the one-minute mark as Piper Flemming missed two free throws but Kayla Hola grabbed the offensive board and made the putback to reestablish a four-point cushion, 71-67. After the Cougars came up empty on the other end, Talso made a pair at the stripe and the Rams were able to hang on from there. 

Anderson ended with a team-high 14 points for Minnesota Morris. Kwateh and Sondrol each had 13, with Kwateh racking up an amazing eight steals in the game. In her return to the lineup, Ella Van Kempen came off the bench to score 12.

Minnesota Morris wraps up the weekend in the Twin Cities with a 4:45 p.m. contest at the University of Northwestern tomorrow.