NEW ULM, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris men's basketball team suffered an 87-70 loss at Martin Luther College on Friday night, giving up a halftime lead as the Knights shot 67 percent from the floor in the second half. The loss sinks the Cougars to 8-14 (3-8 UMAC) on the season. 

Trailing 8-5 in the early going, Minnesota Morris took the lead thanks to an 8-0 run and proceeded to lead the rest of the first half. With the Cougars up by three, 22-19, Noah Kannegiesser cashed in back-to-back baskets and a layup from Jaret Johnson gave UMN Morris its largest lead of the night at 28-19 with six minutes remaining in the half. A Kannegiesser jumper just before the buzzer sent the Cougars to the locker room with a 41-33 lead.

Martin Luther fought back with an immediate 6-0 run after halftime and tied the game up at 43-43. A Kannegiesser three-point play reestablished a 50-45 lead for the Cougars, but the Knights soon rallied back. When Joey Behm made a three-pointer with less than 12 minutes to play, Martin Luther had its first lead since early in the contest and the Knights wouldn't trail again. A stretch of nearly four minutes without a point for the Cougars allowed Martin Luther to go on a 10-0 run and stretch its advantage to 12 points, 66-54. UMN Morris wouldn't get closer than eight points the rest of the way from there.

Kannegiesser led Minnesota Morris with 24 points and eight rebounds on the night. Ian Carlin had 12 points and five rebounds, while KJ Riley added 11 points and six boards.

The Cougars conclude a six-game road trip tomorrow with a 4:45 p.m. game at Bethany Lutheran College.