RIVER FALLS, Wis. – The University of Minnesota Morris women's basketball team battled with the University of Wisconsin–River Falls but came up short, falling 60-52 on Saturday in River Falls, Wis. Senior Shelby Mortenson scored a career-high 20 points in the contest.
 
The Falcons improve to 3-3 overall as the Cougars drop to 2-6.
 
The Falcons opened the scoring off a steal. Claire Stark put the Cougars on the board, but UWRF answered right back. Points from Maddy Grove and Gianna Klarenbeek gave Minnesota Morris its first lead of the game. Mortenson pushed the lead to three after Klarenbeek found her for a layup. The Falcons tied the game on their next possession with a three-pointer, then continued their run with five more points. UMM ended the quarter strong with a Mortenson layup and a three-pointer from Grace Perry to even the score at 13-13.
 
Minnesota Morris struggled to find offense early in the second quarter, not scoring until the final three minutes. The Cougars' defense held firm, preventing UW–River Falls from pulling too far ahead. Mortenson broke the drought with a jumper and followed it with a layup. UMM entered halftime trailing 29-19.
 
The Cougars found their rhythm in the third quarter, opening the frame with six straight points from Perry, Grove, and Brooke Ver Steeg. Later in the quarter, Mortenson sparked a seven-point rally to cut the deficit to one. During the run, Anna Myers sank a pair of free throws, Klarenbeek added one more, missed the second, secured her own rebound, and scored. The Falcons responded with two points to close the quarter and take a three-point lead.
 
UW–River Falls started the fourth quarter with back-to-back three-pointers to extend its lead. Mortenson and Grove added baskets for the Cougars to chip away at the margin. Grove's 10th point brought the deficit back down to three. However, each time the Cougars scored, the Falcons answered, ultimately securing the 60-52 victory.
 
Mortenson led all scorers with 20 points on 9-for-11 shooting and went 2-for-3 from the free-throw line. She also recorded her first double-double of the season, grabbing 11 rebounds. Grove followed with 10 points, and Klarenbeek added nine. Ver Steeg led the team with three steals, while Stark recorded UMM's lone block.
 
The Cougars return to action next Saturday at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, with tipoff set for 2 p.m.