ELLENDALE, N.D. – The University of Minnesota Morris men's basketball team won its first game of the season on Friday night with an 86-68 road victory over Trinity Bible College. The Cougars improve to 1-1 on the season.

After the lead traded hands in the early going, an 8-0 run staked Minnesota Morris to a 16-10 lead at the 14-minute mark and the Cougars wouldn't trail again the rest of the night. Kenny Placide scored six of the eight points in the run, while Gus Gunderson, Tarik Iyob, and Pal Dak combined for all the points in a 15-2 run for Minnesota Morris later in the half that made it 31-18. The Cougars had another 12-0 run before the half was done and took a 50-32 edge into halftime.

The UMN Morris lead never fell below 15 points in the second half and grew to as much as 27 after Jase Nelson connected on a triple with 7:31 remaining. The reserves took the game home, with all 14 players in uniform on the night logging at least three minutes of action. 

Placide logged a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 6-for-7 from the floor. Nelson scored 11 off the bench while connecting on all four of his field goal attempts. Gunderson also reached double-figures with 10 on the night. 

Minnesota Morris makes its home debut in the 2023-24 season on Tuesday night, hosting Augsburg University at 7 p.m.