A dominating fourth quarter catapulted the University of Minnesota Duluth over Bemidji State University Friday night in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference opener for the Bulldogs. UMD outscored the Beavers 21-7 in the final 10 minutes to pull away with a 52-44 victory in Bemidji, Minn.
 
Senior forward Anna Monke lead the team with 16 points. Monke was key down the stretch as she accounted for eight of her team's points in the fourth quarter as the Bulldogs (3-1 overall, 1-0 NSIC) erased a 37-31 deficit entering the quarter.
 
Junior forward Sammy Kozlowski added 13 points and freshman forward Sarah Grow notched her third double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Brooklyn Bachmann had a game-high 17 points for Bemidji State (1-4 overall, 0-1 NSIC).
 
The first half consisted of each team making big runs. UMD jumped out to a 7-0 lead after a basket by freshman forward Sarah Grow. Bemidji State closed the gap shortly thereafter but the Bulldogs shot out on a 9-1 run that concluded with back-to-back buckets by Monke to push the lead to 24-14. The Beavers managed to tie the game before the halftime buzzer holding UMD without a point for the final 4:35 of the second quarter.

The run continued in the second half as Bemidji State took the lead for the first time adding five more points to take a 29-24 lead. The Bulldogs missed their first five shots to start the quarter before junior forward Sammy Kozlowski dropped in a layup to end their long scoring drought. The Beavers continued their pressure and expanded the lead to 33-26. UMD got it within two points off Kozlowski free throws. It wasn't enough as the Bulldogs trailed by six heading to the fourth and final quarter.

That's when they mounted their final comeback.
 
Kozlowski scored four of the team's next five points to cut the Beaver lead to one. Later, Monke knotted at game at 42 on a layup. Monke wasn't finished as she sliced the Bemidji State defense for six more points afterwards to push UMD ahead 50-44 and sealed the victory.

The Bulldogs get back to work tomorrow as they take on the University of Minnesota Crookston. The opening tip of that NSIC matchup is slated for a 4:00 p.m. start.
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