It wasn't the result it was hoping for as the University of Minnesota Duluth women's basketball team's dropped its Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference tournament opening round game 65-59 to Minnesota State University-Mankato.

The Bulldogs end their season with a 16-11 overall record which included going 13-9 in the NSIC - both program bests since the 2011-12 season. The Mavericks improve to 13-16 overall and advance to the NSIC quarterfinal matchup with Augustana University. 

It was a rough start to the game for UMD, which dug itself into a 14-3 deficit in the first 4:10. The Bulldogs would begin to find their rhythm after shooting 1-for-10 from the floor after sophomore forward Katie Stark knocked down a jumper to cut the Maverick lead to nine. Stark would lead all UMD shooters with six points in the first half, and would finish with a team-high 14 points on 5-of-14 shooting (35.7 percent). Down by as much as 11 in the first, the Bulldogs would go into the second quarter down by seven. UMD would get within four after freshman forward Payton Kahl laid one in with 2:48 remaining in the first half. Kahl finished with four points, a pair of blocks and steals, and a career-high five rebounds

The third proved to be Bulldogs' best quarter, scoring 23 points on 9-of-19 shooting (47.4 percent) while knocking down 4-of-7 (57.1 percent) shots from beyond the arc. The third quarter also proved to be the best quarter for Mankato, which matched UMD's 23 points by shooting 9-of-17 (52.9 percent) from the floor. The Bulldogs made countless runs to erase the deficit and finally pulled through on a fast break lay-up by Stark to lead 40-38. However, that lead for UMD only lasted 27 seconds and it was the last time it would have it. 

The Mavericks won the turnover battle 17-15, and used it to their advantage as they outscored the Bulldogs 22-5. Mankato also pounded the paint, outscoring UMD down low 24-14.

After forcing 15 turnovers, UMD finished the season forcing 15 or more turnovers in nine of its final 10 games after doing it eight times in its first 17 games. The Bulldogs also rounded out their 2017-18 campaign with a season-high nine blocks - three coming from freshman forward Sarah Grow. 

Senior center Allison Olley recorded a career-high three assists - two coming in the first quarter - to accompany her seven rebounds and two points in her final game in a Bulldog jersey. Seniors forwards Amanda Hunt, Anna Monke, and Ayo Porte also played their final game for UMD. Monke recorded three points - all from the charity strip - four rebounds, an assist, a block, and a steal in 11 minutes off the bench.