GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- True freshman Cortez Seales scored a game-high 27 points in his collegiate debut to lead North Dakota to a 99-69 victory over Minnesota-Morris Friday at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.

It was the fifth straight season that UND won its home opener as six players finished in double figures for the home team.

"I'm excited about the win and to get the first one out of the way," UND head coach Brian Jones said. "I thought our guys played hard and it was good to see the balanced scoring with six guys in double figures.

"I think this team has the potential to do that this season if we keep sharing the ball like we did today."

Seales made his first four field goals as UND raced out to an 18-2 lead and was never threatened by the visiting Cougars. 

Seales finished 11-for-15 from the field to help UND finish with a 54.9 percent clip in the opener.

JUCO-transfer Corey Baldwin added 17 as five UND newcomers accounted for 73 of the team's 99 points.

True freshman Conner Avants joined veteran point guard Quinton Hooker with 12 points, while Drick Bernstine and Carson Shanks both added 10 in the victory.

Hooker led all players with seven assists and three steals, while Shanks topped all players with eight boards. The seven-footer helped UND dominate the glass, holding a 52-37 edge in that category.

True freshman Josh Collins capped the first-half scoring with his first collegiate basket to give UND a 45-24 edge at halftime.

UND led by as many as 39 points late in the second half before the Cougars got hot late from 3-point range to shave nine points off that deficit before the final horn sounded.

The Cougars made six treys in the second half as the scored 45 points after the break. Noah Grove led UMM with 12 points off the bench and was the only Cougar in double figures.

UND will return to action on Tuesday for its first game road game of the season at No. 17 Wisconsin. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. and the game will be carried on ESPN3.

-- UND --