One night removed from playing in the club's first triple overtime game in 29 years the University of Minnesota Duluth had enough in the tank to outlast and hold off Minot State University with a 77-70 win Saturday at Romano Gymnasium. Tonight was a team effort as the Bulldogs went deeper and longer with their rotational players.

And did they respond.

The bench effort by junior Trevor Entwisle, senior Ryan Kaczynski, freshman Mason Steffen, junior Cody Tomlinson and sophomore Jake Paper each played a critical role down the stretch. Entwisle compiled four assists and a pair of steals, Paper registered five points, three rebounds and came away with a block off David Akibo. Tomlinson and Steffen locked down the perimeter and Tomlinson fired home one of the six three-pointers by the Bulldogs. The senior leadership from Kaczynski sealed the game late pulling down four rebounds and converting all six of his points in the second half.

UMD didn't start sluggish like what might have been expected. The Bulldogs raced out to a 13-0 lead to start the game and they lead 20-4 over Minot State early in the first half. The Beavers recovered from the slow start and eventually tied it at 32-32 before the half ended. A layup by senior forward Sean Burns and a few free throws by junior Brandon Myer positioned UMD to a 36-32 lead at the break. The Beavers took the lead 45-42 on a three by Drake Jeffies but was able to only extend that lead to four points before UMD mounted its own rally sparked by the free throw line.

The Bulldogs got into the bonus with 13 minutes and change left in the second half. UMD went 17 of 26 at the free throw line as the Bulldogs stayed aggressive and attacked the paint. Both teams traded leads late in the second half until the Bulldogs' alpha dog stepped up to deliver a top-of-the-key three to spring UMD ahead for good. With the game tied 68-68, Myer got a pass from Entwisle and Myer was left open behind a screen. Myer calmly raised up and hit nothing but the bottom of the net. The Bulldogs increased the lead on buckets by Myer and Burns and Entwisle dealt the final blow knocking down the last free throws of the game.

Myer finished with 25 points to lead all scorers. Burns added 14 points of his own after establishing a career high 26 points last night. Senior guard Mamadow Ngom posted a season high 13 points as Ngom hit on four shots including a pair of three pointers.

UMD will be back in action next Friday, Jan. 18 at Minnesota State University, Mankato and Saturday, Jan. 19 at Concordia University, St. Paul.

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