SUPERIOR, Wis. – The University of Minnesota Morris men's basketball team closed within two points after trailing by as much as 18 points in the first half, but couldn't complete the comeback in an 82-74 loss at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. The loss sinks the Cougars to 12-11 (7-6 UMAC).

The offensive load was shared by Noah Kannegiesser and Jaret Johnson in the opening minutes of the contest. Both seniors had five points apiece to stake the Cougars to a 10-8 lead. Kenny Placide then got in on the action, but his two buckets were all that UMN Morris could manage in a five-minute stretch that saw UW-Superior open up a 20-14 advantage. The Yellowjackets starting clicking offensively as the half wore on and eventually grew their lead to 40-22 with 2:40 remaining on a steal and layup from J'Vaun Walker. Minnesota Morris then ended the half on a 9-0 run with two baskets from Johnson and a three-pointer from Thomas Tiernan helping slice the deficit in half, 40-31.

Coming out the other side of halftime, Minnesota Morris notched nine of the first 13 points of the half, with a Corbyn Alexander triple getting the Cougars within four, 44-40, with just four minutes gone. After five straight points from UW-Superior made it 49-40, the Cougars went on a 7-0 run to get within two, capped by a three-point play from Placide. Another trey from Tiernan a couple minutes later once again got Minnesota Morris within a pair at 52-50. 

Despite remaining close much of the rest of the way, Minnesota Morris could never bring the game even. A three-pointer from Reid Johnson expanded the Yellowjacket edge to 72-60 with 3:28 to play and UW-Superior iced the game at charity stripe, scoring its final 10 points of the night at the line.

Johnson led the Cougars with 16 points on the night, while both Kannegiesser and Placide ended with 15.

Minnesota Morris sits in fifth place in the UMAC heading into the final day of the regular season, but is very much alive for a top-four spot and a berth in the UMAC Tournament. To get there, the Cougars are in a must-win position when they square off with Northland College tomorrow at 3 p.m. in Ashland, Wis.