MORRIS, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Morris men's basketball team dropped 44 second half points to Crown College's 27 to win 78-63. The Cougars advance to 3-2 in UMAC play as they head into another tough battle at the University of Wisconsin - Superior this Saturday (Jan. 25 at 3pm).

In the fast-paced back-and-forth first half, Minnesota Morris was the first to score on a layup from Jase Nelson. Pal Dak kept things rolling with a three to tie up the game at 5-5, quickly responded to by the Polars to take another lead. Dom Aguilar knocked down two from the charity stripe to give the Cougars an 11-9 lead with fifteen to go in the half. After nine more lead changes in the first half, Minnesota Morris trailed by just two in the tight 34-36 halftime score. 

Aguilar shut down Crown's attempt to run away with the game early in the second half, splashing a three to cut the Polars' lead back down to two. Gus Gunderson took the ball coast-to-coast on a defensive rebound to tie the game up at 39 apiece. After three consecutive lead changes, the Cougars found their largest lead of the game at 51-43. Dak and James Hughes were responsible for maintaining Minnesota Morris' lead, hitting layups and jumpers to keep a comfortable ten point gap. The Cougars clung to their lead, finishing out the game with a 78-63 lead over the Polars. 

Dak recorded yet another double-double in the matchup, dropping 26 points and grabbing ten rebounds (9 def.). Aguilar was the only other Cougar in double digits, scoring 20 for the home team.