MORRIS, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris men's basketball team started slowly but caught fire as the game progressed and cruised to a 100-74 victory over Martin Luther College on Friday night at James Gremmels Court. The win improves the Cougars to 12-9 (7-4 UMAC) on the season and was the 250th coaching victory for Paul Grove here at Minnesota Morris.

Individually, it was a night to remember for both Jaret Johnson and Noah Kannegiesser. Johnson had one of the best shooting nights in program history as he went 9-of-10 from the field for 23 points. Kannegiesser's eight three-pointers on the night were tied for second in a single game, matching Dillon Haider's night against Martin Luther in February of 2020 and just one behind the all-time Cougar record from Eric Rohy in 2002. 

Despite what was to come, it was Grove using a timeout one minute into the game to awaken the Cougars from a lax start to the contest. Martin Luther was up 5-0, but Minnesota Morris quickly made up the gap with Kannegiesser's first triple of the night and a layup from Johnson. 

The Cougars were scoring almost at will most trips down the floor, but the Knights stayed with them for more than 17 minutes. Micah Kieselhorst gave Martin Luther its final lead of the game, 36-35, as the clock hit three minutes to play in the first half. From there, Minnesota Morris closed the half on a 14-4 run as Blake Munson, Johnson, and Pal Dak connected on three triples on three straight trips. Johnson ended the first half with a three-pointer just before the buzzer to make it 49-40.

The hot shooting extended to the second half. Dak knocked down a three 10 seconds into the second half and Kannegiesser then nailed one while being fouled and converting the four-point play. Martin Luther answered back with four straight points to get within 12 of the Cougars at 56-44, but that is when Kannegiesser took over. 

After buckets from Johnson and Dak pushed the margin to 60-44, Kannegiesser scored the next 18 points for the Cougars on six three-pointers in just over three minutes. When the dust settled, Minnesota Morris had a 78-46 edge and the rest of the game offered a chance to give some extended run to the reserves. Buckets from Jack Behning and Ryan Chamberlain in the final 70 seconds allowed the Cougars to hit the century mark for the second time this season.

Kannegiesser's 26 points came in just 19 minutes and was one point off a career high. In addition to his 23 points, Johnson was one of two Cougars along with Corbyn Alexander to finish with six assists. Munson (11 points) and Dak (10 points) also reached double-figures on the night. 

Minnesota Morris will host its final contest of the regular season and celebrate Senior Day tomorrow with a 3 p.m. tip-off against Bethany Lutheran College.