MORRIS, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris men's basketball team nearly completed a stirring comeback on Saturday afternoon at Jim Gremmels Court, but Northland College was able to hold on for an 86-84 overtime victory. The Cougars close the regular season with a record of 8-17 (3-11 UMAC) and head into the UMAC Tournament with the No. 7 seed.

Northland roared out of the gates and took a 17-6 lead six minutes into the game after back-to-back threes from Jordan Brennan. Minnesota Morris was able to close the gap to four points on two occasions later in the first half, but a strong closing burst from the LumberJacks going into halftime staked them to a 48-37 lead.

When the LumberJacks scored the first six points of the second half to increase their margin to 54-37, a comeback from Minnesota Morris appeared unlikely. Nevertheless, the Cougars began to attack the paint and the trio of Ian Carlin, Jaret Johnson, and Will McBee soon brought UMN Morris back into it. A 10-0 run that was started by a three-pointer from Noah Kannegiesser knotted the score at 64-64 with 8:30 remaining in regulation.

The game turned into a battle of wills from there. A three-pointer from Northland's Drew Lindberg gave the visitors a 76-72 advantage with just over three minutes left, but the Minnesota Morris defense held the rest of the way. In the next minute, Dillon Haider made a pair of free throws and Carlin tied the game up at 76-76 after a nice low-post pass from Johnson. Neither team scored the rest of the way, sending the contest into an extra session.

Minnesota Morris led for much of the overtime period, scoring the first three points from the foul line and maintaining that edge until Northland took the lead with a three-pointer in the final minute. Johnson answered right back with 39 seconds left, dropping in a three from the wing to give the Cougars an 84-83 lead. The dagger came on an offensive rebound as a missed three-pointer from the LumberJacks caromed long and was rebounded by George Butvilas, who drilled his lone shot attempt of the game to give Northland the lead back. A turnover on the other end for the Cougars ended it.

Kannegiesser ended with 19 points to lead the Cougars on the day. Carlin had 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Johnson finished with 18 points and 10 boards. Haider added 13 points.

Minnesota Morris is back in action on Tuesday night in St. Bonifacius, going in as the No. 7 seed and facing No. 2 seed Crown College at 7 p.m. in the UMAC Tournament quarterfinals.