Morris, MN – The University of Minnesota-Morris held Crown College scoreless over a six minute span in the first half and scored 16 unanswered points during that same time to take a 18-6 lead on the way to a win in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) college women’s basketball action Saturday at the P.E. Center.
The Storm took a 6-2 lead at 17:43, but that would be their final lead of the contest.
Ashley Latham ((Sr. Clear Lake, MN) knocked down a pair of free-throws to get the Cougars started on their scoring run.
Alaina Benson’s (So. Clinton, MN) three from the left wing put UMM in front for good at 9-6 with 15:46 left in the half.
The Cougars shot 47 percent (16-34) from the floor in the first half and Malinda Berglund (Sr. Grand Marais, MN) led the way with 13 first half points as they built a 41-20 lead at the break.
Defensively, Minnesota-Morris held the Storm to just seven first half field goals and 23 percent shooting (7-30).
In the final home game of the regular season and on senior day, the Cougars continued a strong all-around effort in the second half and in the process two players had career games.
Minnesota-Morris was even better on offense and on the defensive end of the floor in the second half.
UMM connected on half of their shots from the field in the final 20 minutes connecting on 12-of-24.
Defensively the Cougars held Crown to just 15 second half points on 5-of-37 (13.5%) and recorded a season best defensive effort holding the Storm to just 35 points for the game, none over the games last seven minutes.
Coresa Leighty (Fr. New Ulm, MN) had a career high night in points and rebounds with 15 and 13 respectively and earned her second double-double of the season.
Alaina Benson had 12 while the two seniors Malinda Berglund and Ashley Latham combined for 29 points (15-14) and 16 rebounds playing in their final regular season game at the P.E. Center. For Latham the 14 points was a career high.
The win was the 13th of the season for the Cougars, which guarantees UMM their first winning season since 1997-98 when Minnesota-Morris was 17-12.
Minnesota-Morris (13-7, 7-2 UMAC) hits the road for two up north next weekend.
Friday, February 3rd, the Cougars are in Ashland, Wisconsin for a 5:30 game and the Saturday the 4th a 3:00 game in Duluth against St. Scholastica.