MORRIS, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris women's basketball team crashed the boards hard, but were plagued by turnovers in a 69-51 loss to Mayville State University on Thursday night at James Gremmels Court.

Minnesota Morris raced out to a 7-2 lead in the opening minutes and a Claire Stark three-point play kept the Cougars in front, 10-7. Mayville State answered back with a pair of three-pointers and went up by seven points as the quarter ticked down before Grace Perry hit a three in the final seconds, cutting the Cougar deficit to 23-19 after one.

Following the hot start from both offenses in the first quarter, the teams went cold as the second quarter began. Nearly three minutes went by before either team scored in the period and Mayville State would go on to tally the first 10 points in the frame, taking a 33-19 lead. Malory Anderson finally connected on a pair of foul shots to break the long scoring drought for Minnesota Morris, but the Comets would take a 37-23 lead into the half.

Mayville State extended its lead to 50-31 midway through the third quarter before a pair of technical fouls on the Comet bench helped Minnesota Morris go on a 9-0 run and pull back within 10. Alice Wilkinson hit five free throws in quick succession to start the run, followed by a Perry triple. Mayville State added a couple of late baskets, however, extending the lead back to 57-43 entering the fourth quarter.

Perry began the final quarter with a three-pointer to get Minnesota Morris back within 11, but that would be as close as the Cougars would get on the night. Mayville State scored the next seven points and maintained a comfortable lead down the stretch.

Minnesota Morris opens UMAC play on Dec. 8 with a road game in Ashland, Wis. against Northland College starting at 5:30 p.m.