MORRIS, Minn.-- Women's Basketball battled throughout the first half to stay within reach of The University of Minnesota-Morris on Friday night. But Morris used a strong start to the second half to create a gap that the Rams could not close in a 77-53 loss to the Cougars in Morris.

Despite trailing just 33-28 at halftime, North Central (6-11, 1-5 UMAC) ran out of gas in the second half on Friday. Minnesota-Morris (Morris, Minn.) busted the game open early in the second half with a 16-0 run that created too much distance to overcome for North Central. UMM led 49-30 with 14:29 left in game.

Morris pushed the lead out to 56-31 at the 11:32 mark before the Rams made their final push to get back in the game. A 7-0 surge by North Central was capped by junior Jenna Cielocha (Elk River, Minn./Elk River) hitting a jumper to make it 56-38 with a bit more than eight minutes left. But that would be as close as NCU could get the rest of the way.

The Rams were ice cold in the second half shooting just 9-31 (.290) from the floor and surrendered 16 points off 15 turnovers. Jenna Cierlocha led the Rams with 15 points. Freshman Lizzy Swanson (Askov, Minn./East Central) scored 12 points while junior Jamie High (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo) added 10 points and a game and career high 18 rebounds along with 4 assists.

North Central will be back in action tomorrow evening when they travel to Crown College (St. Bonifacius). The tip-off between the Rams and Storm is scheduled for 3 p.m.