MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.-- North Central Women's Basketball held their own for much of the first half despite a cold shooting night but the visiting University of Minnesota-Morris Cougars proved too much down the stretch. After staying within ten points for most of the first half NCU fell behind by 20 early the second period and could not recover in an 80-51 defeat.

After earning their first Upper Midwest Athletic Conference win last night, the Rams hoped to continue that momentun against a solid University of Minnesota-Morris team that won the regular season title a year ago. But NCU fell behind 16-3 after the first 12 minutes and struggled to get the ball in the basket all evening. North Central trailed 40-25 after the first 20 minutes and shot just 6-26 (.231) over that stretch.

In the second half the Rams fought valiantly and raised their shooting percentage slightly but still only converted nine fieldgoals in the final 20 mintues. A tired NCU team surrendered 14 Cougars offensive rebounds and was blasted 33-15 on the glass in the second half.

The Rams were led by senior Jorie Grenell (Lakeville, Minn./Spring Lake Park) who played just six minutes in the first half with foul trouble but managed to score 13 points. Sophomore Shelby Norman (Winsted, Minn./Watertown-Mayer) added 11 points.

The Rams will be back in action on Tuesday when they host Faith Baptist Bible College (Ankeny, Iowa).