News Release

MINNEAPOLIS, Mn — After missing their first five shots from the field, the University of Minnesota-Morris men’s basketball team hit seven of their next nine and scored on eight straight possessions, to open up an 18-11 lead on the way to winning their fifth straight, 103-77 over North Central University Tuesday night in Minneapolis.

Playing their final non-conference game of the season, the Cougars entered the game averaging 90.2 ppg, eighth in the nation in Division III, and were eighth in division III in team field goal shooting percentage (.506).

The 103 points marked the second straight game and the fifth time this season that UMM reached the century mark.

After the Rams took a quick 6-0 lead, a basket by David Holler got the Cougars on the board, two minutes into the game.

A pair of three point baskets by Brent Durensky gave Minnesota-Morris a two point lead at 8-6 one minute later and the Cougars never trailed again.

Josh Grove gave the Cougars a 12 point advantage at 25-13 with just over 12 minutes to go in the first half.

North Central then went on a 10-2 run to trim the margin to four at 27-23 only to have the Cougars score 19 of the final 26 points of the half to take a sixteen point lead into the locker room at the half at 46-30.

The Cougars held the Rams to just 11 first half field goals and 37 percent shooting from the field. Minnesota-Morris shot 47 percent (18-38) from the floor in the first 20 minutes.

The shooting improved for the Cougars in the second half as they were 16-32 (50%) from the floor and after going to the free throw line twice in the first half, they were 22-29 (76%) from the charity strip in the second half.

James Carr gave Minnesota-Morris their largest lead of the night at 32, 82-50, with one of his three three-pointers of the night with 8:28 remaining in the game.

For the third straight game and the sixth time this season, UMM had five players in double figures and the Cougar bench outscored NCU 55-12 to help lead Minnesota-Morris to the win.

Brendan McNally led all scorers with 22 for the Cougars, Matt Stenehjem and Adam Sullivan each had 12. Sullivan was a perfect 5-5 from the floor for the night.

The Barnesville, Minnesota duo of Brent Durensky and James Carr each added 11.

The five game win streak equals last years high and the Cougars will look to make it six straight on Friday when they return to Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) action as they travel to Mankato to take on Bethany Lutheran College for the first time ever. Tip off is at 7:30.

Then on Saturday, UMM (10-5, 4-0 UMAC) takes on Martin Luther College at 5:30 in New Ulm.