MORRIS, Minn.-- North Central University Womens' Basketball hung with the University of Minnesota-Morris for a half before the Cougars surged away in the second 20 minutes to defeat the Rams 75-59 in Morris on Saturday night. NCU was within striking distance at halftime but the Rams were unable to stay with an offensive outburst from UMM over the first five minutes of the second half and that proved to be the difference.

North Central (4-10, 1-4) was down 31-24 at halftime but a pair of baskets from Minnesota-Morris (7-7, 5-0) in the first 30 seconds of the half quickly pushed the lead to nine. The next NCU possession the Rams got a single free throw but that eight point difference would be as close as the Rams would get over the next 18 minutes.

Morris would lead by as many as 19 with 7:09 to play in the game before a final NCU push got the lead down to 11 points on a three point basket from junior Julia Skeesick (Victoria, Minn./Chaska) with 4:42 remaining. NCU got a stop on the next defensive effort but Skeesick was just off on another three pointer and the Rams remaining hopes were dashed with UMM free throws sealing the outcome over the final two minutes.

The victory gave Minnesota-Morris a 5-0 mark in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) and put them alone in first place in the league standings.

Junior Jorie Grenell (Lakeville, Minn./Spring Lake Park) led NCU with 16 points. Senior Elisabeth Trickey scored (Waseca, Minn./Waseca) 11 points with 7 steals, 6 rebounds and 4 assists.

Freshman Jamie High (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo) added 10 points and 6 boards. Sophomore Melissa Kidd (Spring Lake Park, Minn./Spring Lake Park) scored 8 points and pulled down a game high 8 rebounds.

North Central will be back in action next Friday when they host Northland College (Ashland, Wis.) for a UMAC game. The Rams and Lumberjills are scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off.