CONCORDIA, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris women's basketball team fell on the road 85-56 to Concordia College (Minn.) Wednesday night in Concordia, Minn.
 
The Cobbers win their season opener to improve to 1-0 as the Cougars fall to 1-3.
 
The Cobbers scored off the tip, but Gianna Klarenbeek answered with a layup. Concordia started to gain separation, scoring the next seven points. Maddy Grove ended the rally with a layup after a steal. Brooke Ver Steeg cut the lead to two after making the team's first three-pointer and Grove tied the game at 9-9 after grabbing an offensive rebound. The Cobbers closed out the first quarter on an 11-to-2 run to go up 22-11.
 
Grove had the opening UMM basket of the second quarter with Klarenbeek assisting her. The Cougars matched the scoring of the Cobbers in the second quarter. Points from Grove, and Claire Stark helped UMM keep pace early in the quarter. On the other end of the court, Stark blocked a shot to keep the advantage at 10. Shelby Mortenson scored on a layup and made a free throw to bring the lead down to single digits. After scoring five in a row, Concordia would take a 15-point lead and would hold it entering halftime.
 
Grove and Stark continued the scoring into the third quarter. The Cobbers began to expand their lead after scoring 16 of the next 18 points. Anna Myers ended the scoring drought for UMM after making a pair of free throws. Concordia continued to rally to end the third quarter up 68-34.
 
On the opening shot of the fourth quarter, Grove hit a turnaround jumper for the Cougars. Itzel Salazar connected on a shot from behind the arc on a pass from Grace Perry. Klarenbeek and Grove would score for UMM but were unable to make up ground on Concordia. Ver Steeg closed out the scoring with a three-pointer in the final seconds making the final score 85-56 Cobbers.
 
Grove led the Cougars with 18 points, her third game this season with double figures. Stark followed her with eight points and Myers rounded out the top three with seven. Klarenbeek had a team-high four assists.
 
Defensively, Mortenson paced the team with eight rebounds followed by Gabby Randy and Grove with five. UMM totaled four blocks with Mortenson swatting three shots.
 
The Cougars return home for a 7 p.m., game with St. Catherine University on Friday.