The University of Minnesota Duluth will face off against St. Cloud State University on Saturday afternoon as the top two teams in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference North Division tip-off league play this weekend.
The Bulldogs (3-1) were barely edged for the top spot in the NSIC North Preseason Coaches Poll by the Huskies (4-0) and will look to get the conference season started with a win on Saturday.
UMD boasts the NSIC Player of the Week in senior center
Hannah Rutten. Rutten averaged 18.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game on the week, cashing in a double-double with 24 points and 16 rebounds in a 84-80 win against No. 22 Michigan Tech. She shot 55-percent from the floor while also adding a pair of blocks, three steals, and three assists on the week. The Bulldogs have averaged 82.2 points per game so far in 2013-14. Last Saturday, the Bulldogs got off to an 18-point halftime lead and held on as the Huskies charged back in the second half, downing MTU 84-80.
About the Huskies
SCSU has already played three games on its home court, winning all three by margins of 25+ points including an 88-63 win over Dakota State (S.D.) on Tuesday night. Senior forward Jessica Benson and freshman guard Betsy MacDonald have each averaged double-digit scoring at 17.8 and 12.5 PPG, respectively. Benson averages a double-double while also hauling in 10.0 boards per game on the season. As a team, the Huskies have averaged 86.8 points while holding opponents to 63.5 points per game. SCSU has shot 51.5 percent from the floor and 43.5 percent from beyond the arch.
UMD is 25-32 all-time against the Huskies but won 57-50 last season on Jan. 15, 2013.
The Bulldogs and Huskies tip off NSIC play in St. Cloud at 2:00 p.m. Saturday.
