MORRIS, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Morris Cougars welcomed the Oles of St. Olaf College to James Gremmels Court for a non-conference matchup. The Cougars, searching for their first win of the season, came away from the loss 0-6 on the season. 

After trailing for most of the first quarter, Minnesota Morris tied things up at 13-13 with a rebound put-back from Gabby Randt under the basket. Maddy Grove gave the Cougars their first lead of the matchup splashing a three pointer for a 16-13 lead. St. Olaf responded with a three of their own and a layup to take an 18-16 lead heading into the end of the first quarter. 

Itzel Salazar thrust the Cougars back into the lead with a triple to take a 19-18 lead. The Oles responded with a layup to squeak past Minnesota Morris, but two shots from the charity stripe for Grove put the Cougars up 21-20. With the game tied up at 23-23, St. Olaf pulled out into the lead for the remainder of the second quarter. The Oles led the Cougars 37-31 heading into halftime of the matchup.

Coming out of the halftime break, St. Olaf laid in a shot that was quickly answered by Claire Stark to keep the Oles' lead to six points. After trading points back and forth, St. Olaf led the game 50-39 with five minutes left in the third quarter. Anna Meyers dropped a three to bring Minnesota Morris to 42 points. A 6-5 run for the Oles in the last three minutes of the game gave them a 58-49 lead to round out the third quarter. 

Despite outscoring St. Olaf 17-15 in the fourth quarter, the Cougars were unable to find enough points to overtake their opponents. Trailing 69-56 with a little other five minutes in the matchup, Myers came out of a timeout and knocked down back to back threes for Minnesota Morris. Stark found the bottom of the net with a shot in the lane to cut the deficit to five points. Salazar found Stark in the lane for another layup, but the Oles were able to find four points of their own in the last two minutes to lead 73-66 at the final buzzer. 

Grove led the Cougars in points, totaling up nineteen and adding on four assists on the day. Salazar dropped twelve points and earned two steals, while Stark came away from the game with ten points. Myers came off the bench for Minnesota Morris and dropped thirteen points for the Cougars while earning two steals. Shelby Mortenson came away from the day with five rebounds to lead the Cougars along with a block and an assist. 

The Cougars will take their home court Nov. 25 for a 5:30 pm tip against Trinity Bible College.