News Release

MORRIS, Mn — The University of Minnesota-Morris men’s basketball team used the long ball in taking over sole possession of first place in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) with a 102-88 win over Northwestern College Saturday at the UMM P.E. Center.

The Cougars hit on five of their first six attempts from three-point range and shot 11-17 (64%) from long range for the game.

The Eagles scored the first points of the game for a quick 2-0 lead but the Cougars scored the next six to take a 6-2 lead and never trailed again.

Brent Durensky started the three point barrage with 17:41 on the clock to give UMM a 9-5 lead.

Kevin Cunniff sandwiched a pair form behind the arc around three’s from Adam Girtman, Josh Grove and Brendan McNally that gave UMM a 28-18 lead with 13:03 left in the first half.

Cunniff’s two three’s were huge baskets as he came down and pulled the trigger off the dribble and drained both shots that helped to take the wind out of the sails of the Eagles.

After the Eagles trimmed the lead to eight at 28-20, Minnesota-Morris went on a 13-5 run, capped off by a pair of Matt Stenehjem free throws to take a 41-25 lead and extended that to 60-43 at the half.

The Cougars shot an amazing 83 percent (10-12) from down town in the first half and 64 percent (23-36) in the first 20 minutes overall.

In the second half, David Hollergave the Cougars a 20 point at 15:16.

The lead stayed around 20 for the next several minutes and then the Cougars took their largest lead at 27 at 97-70 after a basket by Adam Girtman with just over four minutes left in the game.

Bench play was a key factor for the Cougars as they outscored the Eagles 34-16.

Five players scored in double figures for Minnesota-Morris for the second straight game and fifth time this season as the Cougars eclipsed the century mark for the fourth time this season.

Matt Stenehjem led the Cougars with 20, the fourth time this season he has scored at least 20 points in a game and his 12th straight in double figures.

Kevin Cunniff finished with a season high 19 hitting three of his four attempts from three-point range and 5-8 overall. He added seven assists.

Brent Durensky added 16 points, Brendan McNally 13 and Adam Girtman 11.

The win puts Minnesota-Morris in sole possession of first place in the conference with a 4-0 mark and 9-5 overall.

The Cougars travel to Minneapolis for their final non-conference game of the season this Tuesday, January 18th at 7:30.

They return to league action next weekend when they take on Bethany Lutheran Friday at 7:30 in Mankato and Martin Luther at 5:00 Saturday in New Ulm.