Cougar men open basketball season at Concordia

The University of Minnesota, Morris men's basketball team opened the 2008-09 season Tuesday with a 71-65 road loss at Concordia College in Moorhead.

The Cougars trailed by only five at the break, 32-27, and kept the margin to single digits throughout the second half.

With less than three minutes left on the clock, the Cougars cut the deficit to one at 58-57 on a lay-up by freshman Kyle Bruns.

The Cobbers answered with a 7-0 run to take a 65-57 advantage with just over sixty seconds remaining in the game and held on for the six-point win.

After starting the game ice cold, shooting just 28 percent (8-29) in the first half, the Cougars finished the game 23-57 (40.4%).

For the Cougars, junior Eric Dalbey led the way with 21 points, 10 of those coming at the free-throw line.

Sophomore Daniel Fragodt finished the game with 12 points and five rebounds.

Junior Kendall Proell had 10 points and led the Cougars with five assists.

Mitch Primus was 4-of-5 at the net for eight points. He also led the Cougars with eight blocks.

Bruns contributed seven points and five rebounds.

Zach Meyer led the team with six rebounds and also added five points.

Jamin Ivers rounded out the scoring with two points.

The Cougars host Minnesota-Crookston today (Saturday, Nov. 22) at 5 p.m. at the UMM P.E. Center.

Next week the Cougars travel to Bethel on Tuesday for another non-conference game.