Fresh off a blowout victory over Minnesota Crookston to open conference play, the Bulldogs (4-1, 1-0 NSIC) will have a true challenge on their hands tonight as they travel to Moorhead to take on the MSU Dragons (4-0, 1-0 NSIC) at 8 p.m. from Alex Nemzek Fieldhouse (4,000).
The Dragons brought the thunder last night against Bemidji State with a 77-57 victory in their first NSIC contest of the 2011-12 season, and defeated Division I North Dakota State in an exhibition game earlier in the fall. With both teams sporting untarnished conference marks, the Bulldogs are looking for their first victory in Moorhead since the 2008-09 season.
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CARNAGE IN CROOKSTON: Facing Minnesota Crookston for the fourth consecutive season to begin the NSIC segment of their schedule, the Bulldogs sped out of the gates and never looked back with a 101-68 punishing of the Golden Eagles. UMD handed Crookston its first loss of the season by going on an 11-4 run to begin the game and a 10-0 spurt during the first stanza to seize control of the contest. With the triumph, the Bulldogs are now 31-29 all-time in conference openers which includes four straight wins at the expense of the Golden Eagles. Ryan Rasmussen netted a game-high 25 points for the Bulldogs, who boasted 11 players with points at the conclusion of the game. UMD held the Golden Eagles to a mark of .389 from the field and continued its torrid rebounding ways, pulling down 38 boards.
PERFECTION FROM D-ROD: In the past two games, junior forward Dylan Rodriguez has seemingly had all the right moves on the offensive end of the floor. The 6-7 Blaine, Minn., native has not missed a field goal attempt over a span of 95:41, with a three-for-three night against Wisconsin-Superior followed up by a four-of-four showing against Minnesota Crookston lat night. His last miss from the field occured at the 15:41 mark of the second half against Saginaw Valley State on November 19.
SHINING IN THE SUN: Even though NSIC play just opened up on Friday, the Bulldogs sit atop many league statistical categories after their offensive explosion in Crookston. UMD is at the head of the line in terms of scoring offense (101.0 ppg), scoring margin (+33.0), three-point field goal percentage (.565) and three-point field goals made per game (13.0).
CAREER NIGHT FOR STEPHENS: Freshman Derrick Stephens enjoyed a career night in his last outing against Minnesota Crookston. The diminuitive guard posted a respectable stat line of nine points, two rebounds, four assists and a two-of-three mark from beyond the arc.
DRAGON SLAYERS: The Bulldogs and Dragons have been locked in basketball combat for almost as long as basketball has existed at UMD. Through the annals of history, the Bulldogs have had the number of their in-state rivals more often than not, sporting a 74-34 record against their long-time foes. Last season the Bulldogs and Dragons split with each squad getting the victory at their home court. UMD is searching for their first victory in Moorhead since the 2008-09 campaign.
HOLQUIST'S HINTS: “Moorhead is a legit team. Earlier this year they beat North Dakota State, a very solid Division I program, in an exhibition game. There's no question as the spring, summer and full unfolded you knew Moorhead was going to be a very, very formidable foe and a team that was going to be extremely difficult to beat on their own floor. They have a lot of ability, and they deserve the preseason accolades that they're getting. Any weekend road series is going to be tough as well what with the quick turnaround between games.”
