The University of Minnesota Duluth women's basketball team won a critical Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference game 70-61 against Minot State University Friday evening.
In their first meeting back on December 31, the Beavers (13-10; 10-9 NSIC) got the best of the Bulldogs (14-9; 10-8 NSIC) 71-67 after sinking four consecutive free throws in the final six seconds of the game.
Tonight was a different story.
With the win, UMD now holds sole possession of fourth place in the NSIC North division standings. (The top four teams in each division will gain home-court advantage in the NSIC tournament.)
The Bulldogs forced five turnovers in the first six minutes of play, but only held a 5-4 lead after the fifth turnover. UMD and MSU combined for 7-of-32 (21.9 percent) shooting in the first quarter, including going 1-of-11 (nine percent) from beyond the arc. The score stood at 10-6 going into the second - the six points is tied for the least amount scored by an opponent against the Bulldogs this season in any quarter.
UMD won the turnover battle in the first 20 minutes 10-6, but again only held a one-point lead (23-22) going into the half. 45 points is the lowest combined point total this season in either half for Bulldogs and their opponent.
Sophomore guard Taylor Schneider lead all scorers with six points on 2-of-4 shooting while adding a pair of both assists and steals in the first half.
Senior forward Kristal Flowers put the Beavers up 24-23 in the third quarter after a pair of made free throws for their first lead since the beginning of the first quarter. Following the made free throws, the Bulldogs used a 12-0 run over the next to take a commanding lead.
UMD entered the final quarter with a 17-point. In the fourth, MSU finally decided to turn up the heat and start making baskets. MSU would pull within as much two points with 2:23 remaining. The Beavers wouldn't miss a shot in the fourth quarter until 1:39 remaining after going 9-for-9 beforehand (finished 2-of-7 on their final shots).
Schneider knocked down a pair of three's in the final minutes, and would finish with a career-high 16 points.
UMD will play its final home game of the regular season with a matchup against the University of Mary (12-13; 8-11 NSIC) on Saturday (Feb. 10) at 4 p.m. The Marauders are coming off a 60-53 loss at the hands of the St. Cloud State University Huskies (16-7; 13-6 NSIC).
