MORRIS, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris women's basketball team notched a 65-53 victory over Valley City State University on Tuesday night at James Gremmels Court, improving to 2-5 on the season. First-year guard Maddy Grove was the lone Cougar to reach double-figures as she poured in a career-high 32 points on 10-of-16 shooting from the field. 

After a brief lead for Valley City State in the opening minute, a 6-0 Minnesota Morris run – with all of the points coming from Grove – staked the Cougars to an 8-3 lead. Claire Stark later added a three-point play and a Jay Kwateh jumper closed the quarter with UMN Morris out in front, 14-7.

Valley City State came back with an 8-0 run in the first four minutes of the second quarter before back-to-back buckets from Stark. With the score knotted at 18-18, a short Alice Wilkinson jumper assisted by Stark put Minnesota Morris on top and started a 7-0 run that gave the Cougars the lead for good. By halftime, UMN Morris had a 28-20 lead following a Grove three-pointer just before the buzzer.

The Vikings pulled within six in the first two minutes of the third quarter, but a 6-0 run grew the Minnesota Morris lead to double digits. Late in the quarter, Grace Perry scored on a layup and Grove added a pair of free throws to push the lead to 47-32 entering the final quarter. 

A 7-0 run by Valley City State made things interesting as the fourth quarter began, but Stark and Grove again kept the Cougars comfortably ahead. As the Vikings went cold from the field down the stretch, Minnesota Morris was able to hit enough free throws to wrap up the victory.

Besides Grove's 32-point night, Stark finished with nine points and seven boards, and Kwateh added eight and six steals. Malory Anderson stuffed the stat line with eight rebounds, five assists, and five steals.

Minnesota Morris is back home on Thursday night, hosting Mayville State University at 5 p.m.