MORRIS, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Morris women's basketball team notched a nine point victory over Crown College on James Gremmels Court. The Cougars advance to a 3-2 UMAC record, and will head to the University of Wisconsin - Superior for a rematch of last season's conference tournament championship (Jan. 25 at 4:45 pm). 

Minnesota Morris was quick to jump into the lead, kicked off by five points from Maddy Grove, getting up 9-0 on Crown. The Polars lockdown defense allowed them to go on an 11-0 run and take a two point lead on the Cougars with two minutes remaining in the first quarter. After back-to-back three pointers from Savanna Pelzer and Anna Myers, Minnesota Morris regained their lead and finished off the quarter with a 15-11 advantage over the Polars. 

Crown kicked off the scoring in the second quarter, but the Cougars were quick to respond and maintain a four point lead. The two teams traded made baskets back and forth, and Minnesota Morris did not gain more than a four point lead until there were three minutes to go in the quarter. Grove's layup followed by back-to-back free throws gave the Cougars a five point lead at the halftime buzzer. 

The first double-digit lead for either team came for the Cougars with three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter off a layup from Myers. The Polars did not let Minnesota Morris get any further away than that, responding to the Cougars' lead and cutting it down to seven heading into the final ten minutes of play. Pelzer put the Cougars back up by 11 points at the five minute mark in the quarter as both teams battled to put the game away. In the end, Minnesota Morris came out on top at the conclusion of this intense conference matchup, keeping a 62-53 scoring gap.

Grove dropped a cool 22 points for the Cougars on the day, adding on seven rebounds and two steals. Shelby Mortenson and Myers each had a ten piece night, with Mortenson adding on eight rebounds for the home team.