MORRIS, Minn. - The Bethany Lutheran men's basketball team Wednesday traveled to Minnesota Morris and dropped a high-scoring matchup 95-88. With the loss the Vikings fall to 12-12 overall and 9-4 in the UMAC while the Cougars move to 12-12 overall and 9-4 in conference play. 

Morris came out of the contest guns a blazing as they worked there way out to a quick 13-6 lead under four minutes in. Drew Sagedahl and Jack Brockmann would each score inside for Bethany to make it a one possession, before each team hit a standstill offensively.

Things went scoreless for over two minutes before the Cougars ended the drought with a scoring outburst, as they would go on a 12-4 run to lead 25-14. They weren't done there either as they would continue to push the advantage, extending their lead to 15 at 38-23 a few minutes later. 

The Cougars would keep their lead over the next few minutes and held it at 48-35 with 4:30 left but the Vikings respond late, closing out the frame on a 15-2 run to even it at 50 headed to the break. 

Morris would score the first seven points of the second half and continue to push on from there, as they would claim a 70-56 lead with 12 minutes to play. The Vikings would cut a few points into the lead a few minutes later at 75-63, but five in a row from the Cougars would give them their largest lead at 17 with 8:52 left. 

Bethany would respond, as Teon Thomas and Sagedahl would each knock down threes before a Brockmann free throw made it a 10-point game with six minutes left. Another Thomas three a few minutes later brought the deficit to nine points but UMM responded once again with a three and a pair of free throws to lead by 14 with four to play. 

Trailing by 11 with two minutes left, the Vikings would get a Brockmann layup and Sagedahl three as they cut the lead down to just six with one minute to play. After a Morris miss, the Vikings would miss their shot on the ensuing possession but Thomas got the board and drew a foul, connecting on both free throws to make it a four point game with 30 seconds left. 

After a Bethany foul, the Cougars would connect on one of two free throws and Bethany would miss on their final possession as the home team held on for the win. 

Sagedahl led Bethany in the contest with 26 points to go along with nine rebounds in the contest. Brockmann added 15 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks, while Jax Madson and DJ Akpati each added 13. 

The Vikings will play their final regular season contest of the season on Saturday when they host North Central in a 3 p.m. matchup.