Both the UMM men's and women's teams defeated the Comets of North Dakota on this night. The success helped accent the growing feeling of holiday cheer among the UMM partisans.
Foss was in the Tebow-esque groove (to coin a term) as he just couldn't miss. Sophomore Foss, who has made a seamless transition from football to basketball this academic year, went six-for-six in field goal shooting (two-for-two in 3-pointers) and six of six also in freethrows. Plus he collected five offensive and five defensive rebounds.
All this in the UMM men's 84-51 win.
The success avenged a previous loss to the Comets. Unfortunately this was just UMM's second win against four losses, but the success of the night (and the reversal vs. Mayville) gives a hint of positive things to come.
The University of Minnesota-Morris women's team won 70-66 over the Comets. Kendra Wycoff hit clutch freethrows at the end to help ensure the win.
Reviewing men's win
Coach Paul Grove's Cougars shot 60 percent in the first half to carve out a 44-25 lead. For the game their stat was 53 percent which was their best since the season opener. Their harvest of 53 rebounds was actually their best since back in the '06-07 season.
Other stats for the night included 18 assists and a mere eight turnovers.
Brendon Foss' perfect shooting propelled the talented sophomore to a double-double: 20 points and ten rebounds.
Derek Schmidt came at the Comets with 14 points, and Logan Orazem put in eleven.
The Cougars never trailed. A dramatic Foss dunk put UMM up 23-6, giving indications this was truly a night that belonged to the maroon.
Orazem put the wheels in motion in the second half with a "3," putting UMM up by 22. Back-to-back 3's by Foss pushed the margin up to 27.
Foss' 20 points were a career-high figure. He's making both Hancock and UMM proud.
Reviewing women's win
In the women's game, coach Tim Grove's Cougars looked like they might be cruising too. The lead stood at 13 but the closing stages wouldn't be so routine. UMM had to bear down to snuff out a late Comet rally.
The Comets got within a hair's breadth thanks to a 3-pointer that made the score 67-66. The time remaining: 32 seconds.
Mayville realized they had to foul. So the Cougars would have to take a deep breath, stay poised and make freethrows. Wycoff was up to the task. A pair of made freethrows by Kendra pushed the UMM advantage back up to three.
The Cougars forced a turnover, whereupon Mayville had to again foul. Now, eleven seconds are remaining.
Alyssa Silva made the first of two freethrows. The ultimate 70-66 win was sealed. Silva finished the game five of six in freethrows and scored nine points.
Freshman Allie Sannes looked quite at home working under the basket. She came through with a career-best 15 points. Abby Fragodt contributed 13 points to the winning cause and Emily Mehr 12.
The game began with the Cougars shooting out to a 6-0 lead. If only this whole night could have been that easy.
The Comets enjoyed a run that enabled them to lead 9-8. The Cougars bounced back to score eight straight points, so the scoreboard showed an encouraging 16-9 lead. A three-point play by Emily Auch, freshman, got the Cougars to 16 points.
The lead later became 12 in the first half. The score stood 37-33 at halftime. The Cougars built up a 51-38 lead in the second half.
The Comets were undaunted and got the score tied 54-all with less than seven minutes left. The Cougars steadied their attack and never trailed in the time remaining.
The lead was precarious with two minutes left. Jenni Noordmans, former Hancock Owl, connected for a most timely "3." Her shot came off a loose ball.
Finally the horn sounded with the University of Minnesota-Morris having a four-point margin and tucking this win away in the 70-66 final.
The lead was precarious with two minutes left. Jenni Noordmans, former Hancock Owl, connected for a most timely "3." Her shot came off a loose ball.
Finally the horn sounded with the University of Minnesota-Morris having a four-point margin and tucking this win away in the 70-66 final.
Their record coming out of this game: 3-4.
12/7 men's game
Non-conference action had the Cougars visiting Valley City, ND, to face the Vikings on December 7, and it was a losing night. The Cougars fell 78-54.
It was a bad early sign that VCSU went on an 8-0 run at the outset.
Derek Schmidt began UMM's scoring with two freethrows. The Cougars' attack got stabilized to the point where an Evan Reller score shaved the deficit to one point (15-14). Alas, the host Vikings went on another 8-0 run. It would be an uphill night for the Cougars.
Schmidt finished the night with 14 points, topping the list. Reller put in nine points and Foss eight.
UMM stayed within striking distance in the second half, at least for a short time. Schmidt and Zach Meyer fueled UMM's fortunes for a time. The deficit was as few as five points.
But VCSU shot out on another of their runs. They eventually assumed a comfortable position on the scoreboard.
UMM had only three freethrow attempts in the first half (making two).
11/30 men's game
The Cougars trailed by 20 at halftime, playing at Mayville State, but bounced back valiantly to really make a game of it.
A little more steam was needed. At the end the Cougars were shy by just one point, 72-71.
A little more steam was needed. At the end the Cougars were shy by just one point, 72-71.
Mayville shot very hot in the first half, to the tune of 66 percent including nine of 13 in 3's. That shooting touch largely abandoned them in the second half.
The Cougars outscored the Comets 39-20 in the second half. The offense and defense were both clicking. The Cougars made four three-pointers in the second half. They had a rebounding advantage for the game, 31-29.
Brodie Raymond, St. Peter product, had a memorable night with 16 points, team-best.
Derek Schmidt, from East Grand Forks, put in 12 points, and Melrose product Evan Reller had ten.
Women: two road setbacks
Women: two road setbacks
The University of Minnesota-Morris women came out on the short end on 12/7 despite 17 points by Jenni Noordmans and 16 by Emily Mehr. The squad was bested 71-63 by Valley City State University at Valley City.
Victory also eluded the women on 11/30 at Mayville State. Mehr poured in 18 points but it wasn't enough as UMM fell 88-76. Connor Lewis from Barnesville was a perfect five-for-five from the field and posted a career-best 13 points.
Let's all blend the holiday cheer with more hoops excitement!
- Brian Williams - morris mn Minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com
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