That the University of Sioux Falls hit a season-high 17 three-pointers against the University of Minnesota Duluth on Friday night only tells half the story, as the Cougars also had the second-highest three-point shooting percentage achieved against the Bulldogs all season at 58.6 percent (17-of-29). UMD (14-7, 10-5 NSIC) fell on its home court for just the second time all season, 95-63 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action.

Senior forward Brendon Pineda seemed the only Bulldog able to get anything going in the first half, netting 14 points before the break as UMD went to the locker room trailing 45-33. The Bulldogs scored the first points of the game on a jumper by senior guard Taylor Lavery and quickly fell behind 11-2 courtesy of the hot-shooting Cougars. UMD clawed its way back into the game with Pineda hitting a three-pointer to pull within one at 13-12. Try as they may, the Bulldogs could not get the go-ahead point and Sioux Falls (12-9, 7-8 NSIC) made them pay for it, striking with threes on four straight possessions for a 12-1 in just under two minutes of game time.

UMD came back out of the break swinging and cut the lead to six when senior guard Pierre Newton struck for a three, but the red-hot Cougars answered back quickly with a steal and a dunk, followed by a three pointer on their next possession. The Bulldogs would get no closer down the stretch and with the game all but decided late, head coach Matt Bowen turned to his reserves in the closing minutes.

To its credit, UMD shot 43.5 percent and hit 11-of-26 three-pointers. The Bulldogs were just 8-of-13 from the free throw line, but only sent USF to the charity stripe nine times on the night including once in the first half. Pineda finished with a team-high 23 points for UMD with Newton's 18 and Lavery's 11 just behind him. Pineda (4-of-6), Newton (3-of-6), and sophomre guard Jake Schalow (3-of-6) each hit multiple three-pointers on the night. Newton and Lavery each had six rebounds to lead UMD. The Cougars had four players scoring at least 15 points led by Mack Johnson with 25 and seven assists. Clint Thomas and Daniel Hurtt matched the Bulldogs' pair with six rebounds each.

UMD will be at Romano Gym once again tomorrow evening as the Bulldogs look to bounce back against Southwest Minnesota State University. Opening tip is set for 6:00 p.m. following the women's contest.