The University of Minnesota Duluth went shot-for-shot with first-place Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference North Division foe Northern State University for the first 15 minutes of the game but could not keep up with the Wolves' torrid pace, falling 82-64 at Romano Gymnasium on Saturday night.

UMD (6-17, 6-14 NSIC) hit 8-of-12 shots in the first quarter, including 3-of-5 beyond the arc, to knot up with Northern State (19-6, 15-5 NSIC) 19-19 after ten minutes of play. The Wolves hit 7-of-10 in the first frame, including a pair of threes and also made good on 3-of-4 free throws. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, Northern State maintained that pace, shooting 57.9 percent for the game including eight scores on 12 three-point attempts. UMD would finish at 50.0 percent, hitting six threes but gave the Wolves too many second chances as NSU out-rebounded UMD 42-14 on the night with Northern State grabbing 11 boards off their own shots, scoring 15 points on second chances to generate the difference.

Senior guard Taylor Dillinger and sophomore forward Allison Olley would each net 11 points on the night to lead UMD. First-year guard Sammy Kozlowski led the Bulldogs with three rebounds and three assists to go with her eight points. Junior center Allyson Harris knocked back a pair of blocks and scored 10 points on the night. Junior forward Kenzie Kane scored just two points on the night, getting just 21 minutes in the game. She did get a special moment late in the fourth quarter as she subbed into the game alongside sister Taylor Kane, a freshman guard for Northern State, with a significant cheering section in the crowd for the Grand Rapids natives. Senior center Lauren Deadrick led all scorers with 16 points and six rebounds for Northern State.

UMD will close out the regular season and determine its NSIC playoff positioning next week on the road as the team travels to the University of Mary and Minot State University for a pair of North Division outings. The Bulldogs and Marauders will get the weekend started Friday night in Bismarck, North Dakota. Opening tip is set for 6:00 p.m.