The University of Minnesota Duluth started out slowly and couldn't dig out from an early deficit as Minnesota State University Moorhead scored the game's first nine points and held on for a 76-56 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference victory at Romano Gymnasium on Friday evening.

UMD (6-16, 6-13) fell behind the eight-ball early in the game, starting 0-for-9 from the floor and trailing 20-8 after the opening frame. The Bulldogs made a push in the second quarter where they shot 46.2 percent but could not climb back into it as MSU Moorhead (17-5, 14-5 NSIC) continued their hot start, hitting 7-of-18 in the quarter including a pair of threes. The Dragons were 3-of-5 from beyond the arc in the first half with UMD finishing 0-for-5, heading to the locker room looking up at a 14-point deficit.

First-year guard Sammy Kozlowski scored 10 of her team-high 14 points in the first half, and head coach Mandy Pearson tried several different looks in the second half but couldn't get much going. First-year forward Emma Boehm came alive in the fourth quarter, scoring seven points for UMD as the Bulldogs had cut the lead down to 10 but couldn't maintain pace with MSU Moorhead down the stretch. Sophomore forward Anna Monke matched Boehm with nine points on the night while also leading the team with eight rebounds on the night. The Dragons had three players reach double figures led by junior guard Morgan Banasik and senior center Savanna Handevidt each reaching 18 points. Handevidt matched Monke with eight boards on the night. Moorhead finished the game shooting 42.4 percent and 47.1 percent from three, hitting eight from distance on the night. UMD shot 35.0 percent and hit just one three-pointer, a late Boehm shot.

The Bulldogs will be back in action tomorrow afternoon for Senior Night celebrating senior guard Taylor Dillinger. UMD takes on Northern State University in its home finale. Opening tip is set for 4:00 p.m.