MINNEAPOLIS-- Women's basketball lost in their home finale on Friday afternoon. The University of Minnesota-Morris built a lead and eventually pulled away in the fourth quarter to defeat North Central, 77-60.

North Central (6-16, 3-11 UMAC) trailed just 17-13 after the first quarter and found ways to keep contact with Minnesota-Morris (Morris, Minn.) for much of the first half. Morris eventually gained control midway through the second period, taking a 39-29 lead into halftime.

In the final two periods, North Central had opportunities to stay within reach and trailed by just 10 with five minutes to go in the third. The Cougars found ways to get stops, overcoming every surge North Central offered, slowly pulling away. Morris led by as many as 25 with three minutes to play before the teams came to rest at the final 17 point differential.

North Central was never outscored by more than six in a single quarter but could not find enough field goals on a night where they fired just .304 (17-56) from the floor including 6-21 (.286) from the three-point area. The Cougars also grabbed a distinct advantage on the glass, posting a 49-31 rebound advantage. 18 offensive rebounds by UMM were turned into 20 points, accounting for most of the 28 points in the paint posted by the Cougars.

Junior Lizzy Swanson (Askov, Minn./East Central) led NCU with 16 points. Sophomore Haley Modahl (Minneapolis, Minn./Edison) posted a career-best 15 points and 3 steals. Freshman Annabel Morrisroe (Cloquet, Minn./Cloquet) also totaled 15 points and a team-high 5 rebounds.

North Central will close out conference play next weekend with games at Bethany Lutheran College (Mankato, Minn.) and Martin Luther College (New Ulm, Minn.) The Friday tilt with BLC is scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. tip followed by a 2 p.m. start time at MLC.