(Pictured right - Daniel Fragodt)
The University of Minnesota, Morris men's basketball team led by as many as 21 in the first half and led 42-28 at the half and then needed an extra five minutes to pick up their first win of the season in a 91-88 win over BLC.
It was the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) opener for both the Cougars and the Vikings.
The Cougars led 12-11 with 15:39 remaining in the first half and then used a 20-2 run to take a 32-13 lead with 8:39 to go before the break.
Minnesota, Morris scorched the nets in the first half hitting at a 53 percent (17-32) from the floor in the opening 20 minutes to take a 14 point lead at the half.
But as hot as the Cougars were in the first half, they really cooled down in the second half and the Vikings started to heat up.
Kendall Proell (Jr. Osakis, Minn.) drained a three to put UMM in front 61-47 with 8:11 to go in regulation.
BLC however was not going quietly.
Bethany Lutheran, the pre-season No. 1 pick in the coaches poll, out scored the Cougars 26-12 down the stretch to tie the game at 73 to 73 and force the extra period.
UMM took a six point lead at 86-80 with 1:38 left in OT on a pair of Clay Fischer (Fr. Pine City, Minn.) free throws. It appeared that the Cougars had the momentum back.
It was short lived.
But Bethany knocked down a pair of three's on consecutive possessions to tie the game at 86-86.
Freshman center Mitch Primus (Swanville, Minn.) put the Cougars ahead 88-86 and then Fischer added a pair of free-throws with 14 ticks left on the clock to make it a 90-86 game in favor of the Cougars.
BLC made it a one point game with a basket on their next possession, but Daniel Fragodt (So. Benson, Minn.) sealed the game with one of two free-throws with :07 seconds left in OT to give UMM a 91-88 lead.
A desperation three by the Vikings did not go and the Cougars had their first victory of the season.
The win snapped a five game losing streak to start the season for Minnesota, Morris.
Daniel Fragodt had a whale of a game for Minnesota, Morris. He finished with 15 points, eight rebounds, six assists and five steals in 44 minutes of action. So that means he was only out of the game once for one minute. He also only committed 3 turnovers in the game.
Kendall Proell had a season and career high 19 points and just missed a double-double with nine rebounds.
Jeremy Bosch (Jr. Salol, Minn.) had a career high 17 points, Zach Meyer (Fr. Cottonwood, Minn.)chipped in with 12 and Clay Fischer (Fr. Pine City, Minn.) added 11.
Mitch Primus just missed his first career double-double with nine points and eight boards.
Minnesota, Morris (1-5, 1-0 UMAC) is at Bethany Lutheran in UMAC action Saturday, the 6th at 5:00 p.m.
 | .gif) |
| Minnesota-Morris | 42 | 31 | 18 | 91 |
| Bethany Lutheran | 28 | 45 | 15 | 88 |
BOX SCORE
