The Cougars, playing their second game without leading scorer Brendan McNally who is out with an ankle injury, battled the Mustangs through out the game. It was the second game in as many nights for UMM.
SMSU used five three-pointers down the stretch and shot an amazing 68 percent (19-28) from the floor in the second half, including 11 of their last fifteen to hand the Cougars their third straight loss.
Minnesota-Morris started strong and after a lay-up by Matt Stenehjem had an early seven point lead at 9-2.
Southwest Minnesota-State then went on a 9-2 run to tie the game at 11-11 at 16:04 of the opening half.
The final 16 minutes of the first half was nearly dead even as there were five ties in the half and that seven point lead for Minnesota-Morris was the largest for either both teams and at halftime, nothing had been settled as the two teams were even at 33-33.
Minnesota-Morris shot 41 percent from the field in the first half, while SMSU shot 50 percent.
David Holler scored the first basket of the second half to give UMM a 35-33 lead, just ten seconds into the half, but the Mustangs tied the game at 35 just a few seconds later.
The next eight minutes had the teams trading baskets as neither team was able to take control of the game.
A pair of Matt Stenehjem free throws with 11:13 left in the game produced the games eighth tie at 51-51, but that’s when the Mustangs found the touch from long range and began to pull away en route to the win.
Southwest Minnesota State finished the game with 12 three’s, seven of those in the second half and shot 64 percent (7-11) from behind the arc in the second half.
SMSU had 21 turnovers to 11 for the Cougars, but UMM could not take advantage of the miscues by the Mustangs who also out rebounded Minnesota-Morris nearly 2-1, 39-20.
David Holler led the way for the Cougars with 18, Matt Stenehjem had 13 and Adam Girtman added 11 off the bench.
Minnesota-Morris is returns home this Saturday, December 11 when they host North Central University at 1:00 at the UMM P.E. Center. The Cougar women will play at 3:00.