In hoping to bounce back from an offensively quiet night last Saturday at Romano Gym, the University of Minnesota Duluth ran into a too-hot University of Sioux Falls, falling 82-53 to the ranked Cougars in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference interdivisional match-up in Duluth on Friday evening. UMD (5-13, 5-10 NSIC) saw eight Bulldogs score including six with at least five points in a bounceback offensive effort but saw Sioux Falls (17-4, 11-4 NSIC, R.V.) hit 12 three-pointers compared to 14 two-point field goals on the night to seal the victory.

The first half saw the two teams trade baskets early with sophomore forward Ayo Porte netting a game-tying score at 12-12 late in the first quarter before the Cougars hit a go-ahead shot in the closing seconds. After the clock reset, Sioux Falls began to open up its lead as it had against many others this season, scoring eight straight points to go ahead by nine at 25-16, including a pair of three-pointers by senior guard Taylor Varsho. At the half, UMD had 24 points, Varsho 16, and the remainder of the Cougars 19.

Sioux Falls continued to use the three-ball to its advantage in the second half, hitting eight three-pointers in the second half and were late in the game shooting 50 percent from three (12-of-24) while shooting just 46 percent overall. The Cougars would finished shooting 46.4 percent for the game and 46.2 from range, while also hitting 18-of-23 from the free throw line. UMD, meanwhile, finished with just 13 trips to the free throw line. The Bulldogs hit three from beyond the arc, two by junior forward Kenzie Kane and a third by first-year guard Kiera Nelson. Junior center Allyson Harris finished with a team-high 14 points for UMD, hitting 6-of-15 from the floor. Sophomore forward Anna Monke had seven rebounds to lead either team. Nelson matched her career-best with five points on the night.

Varsho slowed in the second half, finishing with 28 minutes and 25 points while hitting seven three-pointers on the night. Senior forward Teagan Molden scored 14 points for the Cougars, who had 11 players with at least one point on the evening.

UMD will have a chance to bounce back with a victory tomorrow afternoon when the team takes on Southwest Minnesota State University, currently 1-14 in NSIC play. Opening tip is set for 4:00 p.m. at Romano Gym.