Box Score The University of Minnesota Duluth extended their winning streak to four games after a lopsided 65-34 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference victory over Upper Iowa University Saturday night. The dynamic duo of junior guard
Sammy Kozlowski and sophomore guard
Taylor Schneider helped propel UMD to its 14th straight win over the Peacocks and remains perfect in the rivalry that first begun in 2008. Kozlowski had a team-high 16 points and Schneider posted career marks with 13 points and six steals. Kozlowski had five of her own to tie a personal best as the duo had 11 of the team's 16 steals. Kozlowski ended the night with four assists, three steals and a block.
Defensively, it was a stellar performance as they put together their best performance of the season. The 34 points allowed by the Bulldog defense was the fewest all season and the 31-point victory was the second largest of the season. The Peacocks (2-16, 0-12 NSIC) shot 21.6 percent from the floor, which was also a season best allowed by the maroon and gold. The 16 steals were the most by a Bulldog unit since Feb. 22, 2013 when Bemidji State had the ball swiped 20 times.
On the attacking end, UMD (11-4, 8-3 NSIC) shot 41 percent and assisted on 17 of their 25 makes. Eight players registered an assist.
Ten Bulldogs registered points has the bench got heavily involved in the third and fourth quarters. The bench scored 36 of the 65 points. Schneider did lead the way off the bench but sophomore forward
Dominique Hart compiled a career high seven points. Senior forwards
Ayo Porte and
Allison Olley both collected six rebounds off the bench. Freshman forward Sarah had a team-high seven rebounds.
The first quarter was pretty even but UMD used 21-9 second and 22-6 third quarters to pull away. The Bulldogs held the advantage in points in the paint (26-18), points off turnovers (13-7) and fast break points (13-5). Kozlowski and Schneider did most of their damage in the opening 20 minutes. Kozlowski had 12 points and Schneider had nine as both guards had three steals. UMD forced 12 turnovers and allowed 22.2 percent shooting in the opening half as the Bulldogs blitzed out to a commanding 32-16 lead at the half. The biggest lead of the night got to 33 before a late bucket at the end.
The Bulldogs get back at it next Friday and Saturday when they return home for a key weekend series against the top two teams in the NSIC North Division. UMD takes on Minnesota State University-Moorhead Friday, Jan. 19 at 6:00 p.m. before battling No. 20 Northern State University Saturday, Jan. 20 at 8:00 p.m.
