The University of Minnesota Duluth kicked off its 2016-17 campaign Friday night, taking on the University of Central Missouri. The game marked the second matchup between the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association, with Lindenwood University defeating Bemidji State University in the opening game. The NSIC will have to take both games tomorrow to even up the challenge amongst the conferences.
Central Missouri has now defeated UMD in two straight season openers -- UCM took the contest 78-60 last season. The Bulldogs connected on 26 of 61 shots, good for a 42.6 field goal percentage. The Mules narrowly outshot the Bulldogs, recording a 48.8% clip from the field. Central Missouri was able to take advantage of points at the free throw line, hitting 18 of 22 from the charity stripe while UMD went just 1-2 all game. The Bulldogs were able to score the bulk of their points from the three-point line, knocking down 12 triples on 26 attempts for a 46.2 percentage. Sophomore guard
Cody Tomlinson shattered his previous career-best with 16 points and five rebounds to lead UMD in scoring. Senior forward
Charles Benson made four of nine shots for eight points while adding five rebounds. Nine Bulldogs notched points on the night, including three freshman scoring their first career points -- forward
Brandon Myer, forward
Luke Harris, and guard
Logan Rohrscheib.
Despite being a close game most of the night, the teams were never tied and exchanged leads just two times. Benson rattled home a layup two minutes into the first half to give UMD a 4-3 lead, but that would be the only lead the Bulldogs would see all night. Central Missouri extended its lead to as much as 12 in the first half, but the teams went to the break with the Mules holding a 35-26 lead. Tomlinson and Benson each recorded six first half points, while sophomore guard
Trevor Entwisle picked up five points in addition to two rebounds and one assist.
The Bulldogs came out after the half determined to cut into UCM's lead. UMD was able to cut the lead down to four points on a couple ocassions until a three pointer by Tomlinson pushed the Bulldogs to just a one point deficit, 49-48, with 10:33 remaining in the second half. The Mules responded to UMD's push by running off the next six points to extend their lead back to seven. In the final three minutes, the Bulldogs came within one point of UCM on three ocassions, but were never able to jump in front. A triple by Harris pushed UMD within one point with just seven seconds remaining, but the Bulldogs could not convert on a buzzer-beating three-pointer to tie the game. Junior guard
Kyle Schalow racked up nine points while assisting two times in the second half.
UMD will take the court tomorrow for game two of the MIAA/NSIC Classic against Lindenwood. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.
