Box Score A defensively-sound first half by the No.22-ranked Northern State University Wolves was enough as they held off an offensive resurgence by the University of Minnesota Duluth in the second half to win by a 75-66 final.

Northern State (18-3, 14-3 NSIC) scored the first two baskets of what was a quiet opening half from an offensive standpoint and kept UMD (10-11, 7-10 NSIC) at arm's length the rest of the way, holding a six-point edge much of the period and opening it up to as many as seven. The Bulldogs closed the gap to three, but the Wolves' top shooter, Alison Kusler, hit a jumper at the buzzer to give NSU a game-high eight-point lead. UMD struggled from beyond the arc, just 1-of-7 in the first 20 minutes, shooting 32.4 percent overall compared to an even 50.0 percent (12-of-24) overall for Northern State.

The second half saw both teams come alive offensively, but UMD continued to be quiet from three-point range, where the Bulldogs have made their name throughout the season. The road team outscored Northern State in the second, but the Wolves were able to keep up scoring with the Bulldogs enough to make the halftime lead last. UMD would shoot 14 of 30 as a team to improves its game scoring average to 39.1 percent, but NSU also improved on its impressive first half, finishing at 51.9 percent for the game.

Senior forward Katrina Newman finished with 21 points for the Bulldogs, but it was NSU's Rachel Krogman who led the way with 24 points, while also completing the double-double with 10 rebounds. Kusler would finish with 21 points herself for the Wolves, while UMD senior center Hannah Rutten added another double-double with 11 points and 11 boards to lead the Bulldogs.

UMD will try to get back to .500 tomorrow afternoon in another revenge match-up with NSIC North rival Minnesota State University-Moorhead (13-8, 9-8 NSIC). The Dragons knocked off the Bulldogs 75-70, pulling away in the final seconds in Duluth two weeks ago. Opening tip is set for 4:00 p.m. in Moorhead.