MORRIS, Minn. – Joel Cline (Green Bay, Wis./Southwest) shot 10-for-11 from the field and 3-for-4 from the free throw line scoring a season high 23 points as North Central University (3-7, 1-4 UMAC) fell to The University of Minnesota-Morris (8-4, 4-1 UMAC) 87-79. CJ Lewis (Minneapolis, Minn./Bloomington Kennedy) tied his season high record with 25 points, of which 15 points came from 3-point range. The Rams were down by 14 points at the end of the first half and were able to close the game within one point midway through the second half. However, missed shots and turnovers stopped the Rams from making the comeback. North Central shot 44.8 percent from the floor and 34.3 percent from 3-point range whereas the Cougars shot 47.8 percent from the floor and 42.3 percent from beyond the arc. Morris outrebounded the Rams 41-38 and scored 17 points of turnovers as compared to the Rams' 13.

How It Happened:

First Half: Cline was a perfect 4-for-4 in the first half earning tough baskets in the paint for the Rams. Jared High (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo) recorded four rebounds (one offensive, three defensive) for the Rams capitalizing on Morris' missed shots.  The Rams had nine turnovers in the first half helping the Cougars jump out to a 14-point lead at the end of the first half.

Second Half: In the second half Lewis was shooting hot going 8-for-10 from the field and 5-for-7 from 3-point range. Lewis' sharp shooting and Cline's tenacity in the paint gave the Rams a chance for a comeback bringing the game within one point. However, turnover possessions and missed shots for the Rams extended Morris' lead as time on the clock dwindled for an upset of the second best team in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC).

North Central will be back in action tomorrow evening in the UMAC Game of the Week against the Crown College Storm in St. Bonifacius, Minnesota. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m.