University of Minnesota Duluth women's basketball senior Katie Pavlich had scored only 38 points through the first six games of the 2003-04 conference season and was just 5-of-27 from behind the arc during that time, but Thursday night the senior exploded for a career-high 27 points on 9-of-17 from the floor and set a career mark making good on 7-of-10 three point attempts as UMD defeated the University of Minnesota-Crookston 80-70 in Romano Gymnasium.

The Bulldogs would play the role of the underdog for a large portion of the first half trailing by as many as five points. But the team would rally to take the lead (20-19) on a Pavlich three with 6:08 remaining in the half. After a brief lapse, they would regain the lead, 25-23 and stretch that to eight points (38-30) by halftime.

In the second stanza, the Bulldogs would lead by as many as 15 points (54-39), but just like in many of their games this season, would have a hard time a hard time putting their opponent away. The Golden Eagles came back to score 22 of the next 31 points to come within basket (63-61), but after a timeout by UMD head coach Karen Stromme, the Bulldogs would go on a 16-5 run and would walk away with their third conference win of the season with the 10-point win.

Pavlich led all scorers with 27 points, but three other Bulldogs were in double-figures Thursday. Junior Tanysha Scott was 6-of-11 from the floor and 1-for-1 from three-point land to total 18 points. She also added a team-high six assists. Junior Natalie Hopkins netted 13 points while junior Tasha Martin poured in 10. Katie Winkelman led UMD on the glass as she posted a career- best seven rebounds.

Amy Kuznia led the balanced Golden Eagle scoring attack with 15 points. Steph Mayclin added 10 points and a team-high seven rebounds.

With the win the Bulldogs move to 10-7 overall and 3-4 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate competition. The team will be in action next when they host Bemidji State University Saturday afternoon. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. in Romano Gymnasium.