MORRIS, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris men's basketball team mounted a late charge but fell short on Friday night in a 76-71 home loss to Bethany Lutheran College. The Cougars now sit at 7-7 (2-2 UMAC) on the season.

Though it took more than three minutes for Minnesota Morris to get on the board, the Cougars eventually took an 8-5 lead following triples from Gus Gunderson and Pal Dak, followed by a Kenny Placide layup. Bethany Lutheran took the lead back with a 9-0 run to go up by six before Ian Fahje collected consecutive baskets to close the Cougars within two at 14-12 with eight minutes gone.

As the first half moved along, Bethany Lutheran grew its lead to double-figures, but Minnesota Morris was able to take some momentum into halftime with a closing 6-0 run in the final two minutes to pull within three, 36-33.

A 9-2 start to the second half for Bethany Lutheran put the Vikings back up by 10 and the visitors grew their advantage to 15 points at the midway point of the half, but Minnesota Morris refused to go quietly. Dak had four points in a 9-0 Cougar rally that got them back within six, 64-58, at the 7:46 mark of the half. Holding the Vikings scoreless for more than four minutes as the clock wound down, Placide had five points in a 6-0 push that made it 68-64 with three minutes to go.

The BLC offense was bound to show back up eventually and it came in the form of a Drew Sagedahl jumper before the Vikings drained three free throws to make it 73-64. Dak scored seven points in the final 75 seconds, but it wasn't enough to make up the difference and Bethany Lutheran hung on for the five-point victory.

Dak recorded a double-double as the lone Cougar in double figures, finishing with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Placide had nine points and seven rebounds, Blake Munson tacked on eight points and five assists, and Jarrett Kujava had six points and nine boards.

Minnesota Morris will look to snap a three-game skid on Saturday afternoon, hosting Martin Luther College at 4:45 p.m.