MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Morris men's basketball team faced off against Augsburg University in an intense non-conference battle with both teams searching for their second wins of the season. The Cougars came away from the matchup with a 1-3 record, unable to best the Auggies on their home court. 

The Cougars trailed early in the first half, but were able to keep the scoring close and respond each time Augsburg lengthed the gap. The Auggies found the first large lead of the game with about seven minutes remaining in the half. Four made baskets that went unanswered by the Cougars to give Augsburg a 33-24 lead. Pal Dak hit back to back jumpers, but the Auggies were able to maintain a ten point lead. Back to back shots from Brian LaRoche Jr. closed the scoring gap to eight points, and a clutch put-back from Tarik Iyob with six seconds on the clock put the Cougars down just six points (36-42) heading into halftime. 

After dropping the first two points of the second half, the Cougars struggled to find points on offense. Augsburg held a thirteen point lead that was quickly cut down with buckets from Dom Aguilar and Ian Fahje, but the Auggies hit a three to push it back up to eleven. With ten minutes remaining in the half, Minnesota Morris trailed 55-66. Points continued to bounce back and forth between the two opponents. Back to back shots from Carvin Fish in the paint maintained the Cougar's eleven point deficit, and three more points from Fish with two minutes in the half set the score at 70-77. The Auggies hit a jumper which was quickly responded to by LaRoche Jr. Dak dropped in two layups to close Minnesota Morris' deficit 77-81. Unfortunately, the Cougars were unable to find the bottom of the net again in the game, falling 77-84 to Augsburg. 

Dak led the Cougars with twenty points on the day, tacking on six rebounds and a steal. Fish earned the first double-double of his collegiate career, hauling in ten rebounds and putting up fifteen points. LaRoche Jr. came off the bench for Minnesota Morris and dropped eleven points while nabbing seven rebounds. 

The Cougars will hit the road Nov. 26 for a 7:30 pm matchup at Mayville State University, before returning home for a three game stretch.