MINNEAPOLIS – The University of Minnesota Morris men's basketball team ended the regular season on Saturday with a 79-64 loss at North Central University. The Cougars conclude their 2023-24 campaign with a record of 12-13 (6-8 UMAC).

Kenny Placide scored twice in the early going for a 4-2 lead, only for North Central to come back with a 10-0 run. A Tarik Iyob layup ended that scoreless stretch for the Cougars and Brian LaRoche, Jr. later had five points in quick succession to put Minnesota Morris back in the lead. A pair of Thomas Tiernan free throws made it 16-13 at the eight-minute mark of the first half, but the Rams scored six straight and would never trail again. Despite a Jarrett Kujava three-pointer at the horn, NCU went to the break with a 33-25 advantage.

Placide again had the first two buckets of the second half for Minnesota Morris, but the Cougars were unable to find a second option. By the time Blake Munson knocked down a three-pointer four minutes into the half, the deficit had grown to 47-32. From there, it expanded to 23 points as the half continued. Jacob Brooks scored the last six points of the game in the final two minutes to make things a little closer for the Cougars by the final buzzer.

All 15 players on the roster saw the court for Minnesota Morris on the afternoon and 13 of them scored. Placide led the Cougars with 13 points. LaRoche, Jr., Munson, and Jack Manning all added seven apiece.