MORRIS, Minn. (Jan. 26, 2008) – The Northwestern College women's basketball team hung with the UMAC's top team in Minnesota-Morris, but the Cougars edged the Eagles 54-53 on a game-winning shot by Alaina Benson.  Northwestern led 31-27 at halftime, but Morris battled back to claim the one-point victory.

 

Northwestern did all they could on defense, causing the Cougars to commit 24 turnovers and holding Morris' best player in Tynell Kocer to 2-of-13 shooting for the afternoon. The Eagles gave up 24 turnovers of their own though, yielding room for UMM.

 

Neither team was impressive on offense, as both NWC and Morris were short of 40 percent for the evening. Kelly Zuleger (Cresco, IA/Crestwood High School) (Cresco, Iowa/Crestwood) and Kaelee Kendrick (Eagan, Minn./Bethany Academy) (Eagan, Minn./Bethany Academy) each scored 11 points to pace Northwestern, while Ariel Liesch (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial) (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial) added ten points. Zuleger had four assists, while Liesch added a team-best seven rebounds.

 

Marissa Maynard led Minnesota-Morris with 12 points.

 

These two teams won't wait long for a repeat, as Minnesota Morris (10-6, 6-1 UMAC) will travel to Northwestern (6-12, 4-3 UMAC) on Friday, Feb. 1. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in the Ericksen Center.