(Pictured right- Alaina Benson)
For Immediate Release: January 19th, 2008 Duluth, Minn. – The University of Minnesota, Morris women’s basketball team over came a 14 point second half deficit and out scored St. Scholastica 7-3 in the extra period to earn a 70-66 come from behind win over the Saints in Upper Midwest athletic Conference (UMAC) women’s college basketball in Duluth.
After falling behind 31-24 at halftime, the Cougars outscored CSS 39-32 in the second half to tie the game at 63-63 and force the overtime period.
St. Scholastica opened up their largest lead at 44-30 with 13:53 left to play in the second half but that’s when the Cougars started their comeback.
A quick 5-0 spurt capped off by a three-pointer from Tynell Kocer (Jr. Pierre, SD) cut the CSS lead to nine at 44-35 with 11:21 remaining in the second half.
St. Scholastica answered with a couple of baskets to take a 47-35 lead less than: 30 seconds later.
Later in the second half, a pair of Kocer free-throws and a basket by Coresa Leighty (Jr. New Ulm, Minn.) made it a five point game at 49-44 with just under eight minutes remaining in regulation.
St. Scholastica again took a double digit lead at 59-46.
The Cougar defense held the Saints scoreless over the next two minutes and over that span scored 11 unanswered to cut the deficit to two at 59-57.
With the score tied at 63-63 and only: 14 seconds left in regulation, UMM had a chance to win the game but Tynell Kocer missed the front end of a one and one and the Saints desperation shot at the horn was off the mark and the two teams head to overtime.
St. Scholastica scored the first basket of overtime to take a 65-63 lead but that would be their only field goal of the five minute extra frame.
The Cougars connected on five of their six free-throw attempts in the second half after Alaina Benson (Sr. Clinton, Minn.) tied the game at 65-65 as UMM escaped with the 70-66 win.
Benson finished with a game high 21, matching a season high for her. It was the 10th time this season she has scored in double figures. Tynell Kocer added 20, thee 11th time in double digits for Tynell and the ninth consecutive game doing so.
Marissa Maynard (Sr. Blaine, Minn.) added 10 off the bench.
Minnesota-Morris (8-6, 4-1 UMAC) shot 39 percent (25-63) from the field for the game and out rebounded St. Scholastica 40-38.
UMM also had a 22-16 advantage on points in the paint.
The Cougars will host Crown College this Friday, January 25th in UMAC conference action at 5:30 at the P.E. Cneter and then Northwestern College Saturday, the 26th at 3:00.
With the win, the Cougars remain in a three-way tie for first place in the league with Presentation and Northwestern all three at 4-1.
 |  |
| Minnesota-Morris | 24 | 39 | 7 | 70 |
| St. Scholastica | 31 | 32 | 3 | 66 |
Box Score
