The University of Sioux Falls rallied to tie the game late, but the University of Minnesota Duluth never trailed in the second half, holding on to defeat the Cougars 70-65 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference on Friday evening in Sioux Falls, S.D.
UMD (10-9, 8-7 NSIC) makes it three of its last four and also sets up for a chance at a winning road trip tomorrow night. Sioux Falls (13-6, 9-6 NSIC) falls for just the second time on its home court this season.
HIGHLIGHTS• Senior guard
Jessica Newman and junior forward
Taylor Meyer continue to lead the Bulldogs offensively, each with a double-double. Meyer grabbed 20 rebounds and scored 19 points while Newman scored a game-high 21 and snagged 10 boards along with three assists and a pair of steals.
• Sioux Falls had three players hit double figures with Sam Knecht leading the way, scoring a double-double of her own with 12 points and 11 boards.
UMD held the Cougars to just 29.0 percent shooting in the first half, as Sioux Falls shot 4-of-12 from beyond the arc and went 0-for-5 at the free throw line. Meyer grabbed ten of the Bulldogs' 18 defensive rebounds in the first half as UMD built up a 14-point lead at the break.
The Bulldogs came out quiet out of the locker room, going just 9-of-38 from the floor after the break and making just 13-of-20 free throw attempts, but it was enough to hold on desite USF shooting an even 50 percent after the break, led by Knecht's 10 points. UMD maintained its lead by grabbing 31 rebounds after the break including 18 by Newman and Meyer. The Bulldogs held USF without a basket over the final 2:43 to hold on for the win.
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UP NEXT
The Bulldogs will continue their road trip tomorrow evening in Marshall, Minnesota where they'll face NSIC South division rival Southwest Minnesota State University. Opening tip is set for 5:00 p.m.
