Story by: Zach Koenig
Morris, MN- The University of Minnesota-Morris women’s basketball team scored a season-high 96 points en route to a 96-38 victory over Crown College on Friday.
The 38 points given up by the stout Cougar defense was the lowest opponent point total of the season.
Leading the UMM offensive outburst were seven players in double-digit scoring, including Alaina Benson (Sr. Clinton, MN) with 17 points, Coresa Leighty (Jr. New Ulm, MN) with 14, and Jamie Rainey (Jr. Maple Grove, MN) with 12. Tynell Kocer (Jr. Pierre, SD), Arielle Anderson (Sr. Wayzata, MN), Diane Blommel (Fr. Grey Eagle, MN), and Marissa Maynard (Sr. Blaine, MN) scored 11 points apiece.
The Cougars built a 17-3 lead to start the first half and only added to it as the game continued. A layup from Kara Norris (So. Zimmerman, MN) gave UMM a 45-15 lead with 4:09 to play, while two free-throws from Blommel made the halftime score 51-19.
The first half scoring was led by Benson’s 11 points, followed by Anderson’s nine. Kocer had five rebounds in the half.
Minnesota-Morris continued to increase their substantial lead in the second half, with a three-pointer from Maynard making the score 70-32 with 9:17 remaining. Another three-point shot, this time from Blommel, put the score at 93-36 with 1:54 on the clock. A free-throw from Norris gave the Cougars their 96-38 win.
Maynard scored nine points in the second half, followed by Leighty’s eight. Kristie Swenstad (So. Osakis, MN) and Blommel had four rebounds apiece in the half.
The Cougars shot at a 49.3% (35-71) clip from the floor and outscored Crown 44-4 on points coming off of turnovers.
The 38 points allowed was the fewest allowed so far this season by the Cougars.
UMM, upped their record to 9-6 overall and 5-1 in the UMAC.
 |  |
| Minnesota-Morris | 51 | 45 | 0 | 96 |
| Crown College | 19 | 19 | 0 | 38 |
Box Score
