MORRIS, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Morris men's basketball team fell 60-87 to Saint John's University in a non-conference matchup. The Cougars move to 2-6 overall in the season with two games left until they enter conference play. 

Jumping out to an early lead in the matchup, the Johnnies were not prepared for the battle presented by Minnesota Morris in the first half of this matchup. With Tarik Iyob hitting a jumper and a three in offensive back-to-back possessions, Minnesota Morris sparked an 11-3 scoring run to close the gap to just two points. Still trailing behind Saint John's, the Cougars hung with their nationally ranked opponents, ending the first half with a score of 36-39 after LeRoy Staples-Fairbanks IV hit a triple with just twelve seconds remaining on the clock. 

Saint John's took the second half by storm, expanding their lead to 54-40 five minutes into the half. Struggling to hit shots from both the three point line and in the field, Minnesota Morris had only scored ten points halfway through the second half of the matchup. The Johnnies ran away with the game for the remainder of the half, creating a 27 point gap and leading 87-60 at the final buzzer. 

Pal Dak led the Cougars in scoring with sixteen points and three assists. Dom Aguilar scored eleven points of his own in addition to hauling in seven defensive rebounds for Minnesota Morris. Staples-Fairbanks came off the bench for the Cougars and scored eight points on the night. 

The Cougars will head to the College of St. Scholastica on Dec. 13 for a 7pm matchup.