Box Score Southwest Minnesota State University's hot-shooting got the best of the University of Minnesota Duluth as the Bulldogs fell for the first time at Romano Gym this season, 64-85 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play.

UMD falls to 6-8 on the season (4-6 NSIC), while the Mustangs improved to10-6 (7-3 NSIC)

The game opened as a fast-paced, free-shooting affair with the teams trading blows until the Bulldogs led 24-23 just the nine-minute mark, but from that point, SMSU took over, opening a 30-24 lead, eventually extending it to 15 before taking a 48-35 lead into the break.

The Bulldogs cooled to shoot 44.4 percent in the opening frame after opening the half on fire, while SMSU continued to heat up and shot 58.1 percent in the first.

Seven Mustangs players finished in double figures scoring led by centerman Mitch Weg who also hauled in a game-high nine rebounds. Junior guard Junior Coleman led the way for the Bulldogs with 15 points on 5-of-9 from beyond the arch. Senior guard Peter Crawford added 14 and junior Reece Zoelle 11 on the night. Freshman Garrison Gillard led the Bulldogs with five boards as they were out-rebounding 33-21 on the night.

UMD is back on the road next weekend for a pair of return matches in the NSIC North against the University of Mary and Minot State University. The Bulldogs and Beavers tip-off the weekend at 8:00 p.m. Friday night, following the women's contest.