The University of Minnesota Duluth women's basketball team got their North Central Conference season off on the right foot Thursday night. The Bulldogs defeated Minnesota State University-Mankato 68-57 in the Taylor Center in both teams conference openers.

UMD came out guns blazing as they shot (.516) on 24-of-55 from the field in the opening half. The Bulldogs held the Mavericks to only 33 percent, allowing only 30 shots to go up in the half. < b="">Lindsey Dietz poured in a 19 point effort as UMD went into the locker room with a 40-25 lead that was never questioned again.

The Bulldogs were paced by Dietz's 27 points and 11 rebounds, her seventh double-double of the season. Justine Axtell torched the Mavs for 16 points in her own right, and Alissa Pauly added 5 steals in the victory.

Arin Andrews led Minnesota State-Mankato with 17 points and 12 rebounds. The Mavs drop to 8-7 overall and 0-1 in the NCC.

UMD, (14-1, 1-0), handed first year coach Sue Fiero her first NCC win in the contest. The Bulldogs head back to Romano Gymnasium Saturday afternoon when they host No. 6 St. Cloud State. Game-time is set for 1 p.m.