After nearly letting a 25 point lead slip away, the University of Minnesota Duluth fended off a feisty fourth quarter attack from Minnesota State University Mankato to win its second straight, 71-63.

The Bulldogs (13-8; 11-6 NSIC) scored eight points in the final 1:16 of the game to hold off the Mavericks (12-9; 8-9 NSIC). 

Led by sophomore guard Sammy Kozlowski, UMD won its first of four games on this road trip. Kozlowski finished the night with 18 points on 6-of-11 shooting while going a perfect 4-of-4 beyond the arc, adding nine rebounds and six assists; all of which were game-highs for the Bulldogs. UMD found its rhythm in the first half, going 10-of-15 (66.7 percent) from deep; senior guard Jenna Orr was responsible for three of them. 

After taking a 38-27 lead into the half, the Bulldogs outscored the Mavericks 20-10 in the third to take a commanding 58-37 lead. MSU would claw and scratch its way back to pull within three with 1:37 remaining in the game. With the score at 63-60 favoring the Bulldogs, senior forward Taylor Meyer went to work. Meyer accounted for six of the eight points that UMD scored in the final 1:16, and would finish the night 17 points on 5-of-10 shooting with seven boards. 

The Bulldogs will look to continue their winning ways as they take on Concordia University-St. Paul on Saturday (Feb. 4) at 4 p.m. After starting the season 7-7, CSP has now racked up a nine-game win streak.