(Pictured right-Coresa leighty)
Story by: Zach Koenig
Minneapolis, MN—A season-high 16 points from Coresa Leighty (Jr. New Ulm, MN) lifted the University of Minnesota-Morris women’s basketball team over North Central University 64-50 on Monday.
Alaina Benson (Sr. Clinton, MN) added more excitement to the contest by posting 15 points, putting her at 981 for her career.
Diane Blommel (Fr. Grey Eagle, MN) scored 10 points for UMM, and every Cougar player had at least two rebounds.
The lead went back and forth during the opening minutes of the first half, but four consecutive points from Leighty gave the Cougars a 15-12 lead with 13:23 remaining.
During the ensuing minutes, the Cougars upped their lead to double digits, peaking at 34-23 with 5:50 to play after a Blommel jump-shot.
The home team came on strong to end the first half, however, and a Leighty jumper was required to hold on to a slim 40-36 lead at the break.
Leighty’s 12 points led the first half scoring for UMM, while Benson and Kristie Swenstad (So. Osakis, MN) added eight points apiece. Blommel grabbed four rebounds in the half.
The Cougars lost their lead early in the second half, but pulled out in front 45-44 once again after a Benson three-point shot at 14:25.
From that point, Minnesota-Morris only increased its lead for the rest of the contest. A jumper from Marissa Maynard (Sr. Blaine, MN) gave the Cougars a ten point lead (56-46) with five minutes remaining, and two free-throws from Leighty ended the scoring at 64-50.
Benson (7 points), Blommel (six), and Leighty (four) led the offense in the second half, while Maynard picked up four rebounds and Arielle Anderson (Sr. Wayzata, MN) recorded three.
The Cougars handily won the points off of turnovers battle 23-7, also shooting 25-61 (41%) from the floor.
With the non-conference portion of their schedule complete, the Cougars next travel to Martin Luther College on Friday, February 8, for a 5:30 p.m. contest.
 |  |
| Minnesota-Morris | 40 | 24 | 0 | 64 |
| North Central | 36 | 14 | 0 | 50 |
Box Score
