MORRIS, Minn. -- A 14-point first half put the Northwestern women's basketball team early in the Eagles' second UMAC game of the year versus Minnesota-Morris.  NWC responded with 38 points in the second period, but the push wasn't enough in a 65-52 loss to the Cougars.

Northwestern's shooting woes started early, as Morris had already scored 13 points before the Eagles got on the board.  NWC head coach Aaron Kahl was without the team's leading scorer in Katie DeWitt (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial) (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial), who was injured in practice on Thursday, so the team looked to the likes of Kristin Sczublewski (Pierz, Minn./Pierz) (Pierz, Minn./Pierz) to pick up the slack.

Sczublewski scored Northwestern's first six points, four of which came at the free throw line, but the Cougars were flirting with a 20-point lead by that time with just over seven minutes to play in the first half.  By the time 20 minutes had ticked off the clock, NWC was able to convert a mere three shots on 22 attempts, scoring more points at the free throw line.

The second period was different for the Purple and Gold, who responded with a 12-28 mark while outscoring Morris by seven.  The Cougars, who started the half with a 20-point advantage, led by 17 after Northwestern's Mollie Sir (Cresco, Iowa/Crestwood) (Cresco, Iowa/Crestwood) made the Eagles' second straight jumper.  Tanya Dickey (White Bear Lake, Minn./White Bear Lake) (White Bear Lake, Minn./White Bear Lake) went on her own 9-0 run throughout the final 2:17 of the game, singlehandedly cutting Morris' one-time 22 point edge to 13 to account for the 65-52 final score.

While the Eagles finished with a 30-percent shooting performance on the night, the Cougars (6-6, 2-0 UMAC) countered with nearly 50 percent.  Not only did NWC miss DeWitt's scoring ability, but the Eagles also needed the senior's rebounding, which was evinced by a 36-22 final tally in the home team's favor.

Sczublewski finished with a team-high 13 points for Northwestern, while Sir added 12 points on 4-9 shooting.  Minnesota-Morris' Steph Roggenbuck amassed 19 points and 10 rebounds to lead all players.

Northwestern will be back at it in less than 24 hours, when the Eagles (5-8, 1-1 UMAC) face Presentation College in Aberdeen, S.D. on Saturday afternoon.  Game time is set for 3 p.m.