MANKATO, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Morris women's basketball team defeated the Bethany Lutheran College Vikings in a spectacular come-from-behind victory. The Cougars head into the second half of UMAC play with a 4-3 conference record thanks to the important victory over the Vikings. 

Itzel Salazar kicked off the day by scoring the first eight points for Minnesota Morris. She would go on to score a game-high 28 points to play a huge part in securing the victory. The Cougars stole the lead from the Vikings with a three point bucket from Anna Myers, and stretched things to a seven point lead at the end of the first quarter. Maddy Grove and Salazar expanded the Cougar lead to 20-13 early in the second quarter before Bethany Lutheran battled back and got up one with 3:43 left. Despite Salazar going 4-4 from the line and Claire Stark adding on two free throws of her own, Minnesota Morris trailed 30-34 at the half.

The Vikings rolled out the third quarter with a 16-5 run over the Cougars to take a 15 point lead. Salazar and Myers brought the team back into the game with 10 points between them, taking away Bethany Lutheran's lead and leaving Minnesota Morris trailing by five heading into the final quarter. The Vikings clung to their lead in the fourth quarter, but the tide turned for the visitors with a jumper and made free throw from Stark to take the lead for the first time in the second half. From there, it was Minnesota Morris' game until the final buzzer. The Cougars shot an impressive 11-14 from the charity stripe in the fourth quarter to wrap the game up with a close 74-72 lead. 

Salazar finished her career night with 28 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals while going 11-12 from the free throw line. Stark and Myers dropped 13 each, with Stark adding seven rebounds to the mix. Grove totaled up 12 points and eight rebounds, and added four assists.

Women's basketball will take on Northland College in a home matchup Feb. 1 at 2:45 pm.