In the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference you either make moves or get moved. The University of Minnesota Duluth made its move.

The Bulldogs battled back from a 14-point deficit to hand Minnesota State University, Mankato an 80-77 loss Friday night. UMD out hustled and outscored the Mavericks 31-14 in the final 9:54 of the second half to stun Minnesota State and the Taylor Center crowd of 814 on hand in Mankato, Minn.

The Bulldogs went 6-for-14 from the field in the final 9:54 but knocked down 16 of 17 at the free throw line. Junior forward Brandon Myer tallied 11 points, junior guard Trevor Entwisle scored nine and junior guard Logan Rohrscheib notched eight points during the comeback sprint. Myer started the rally with a pair of free throws and senior forward Sean Burns got the lead down to single digits with 8:43 left. A few minutes later Entwisle hit a three-pointer to get UMD within two points. The Mavericks responded with a short 4-0 spurt before Rohrscheib sunk the shot of the night. Rohrscheib was fouled on a baseline three in the right corner and he made the Mavericks pay with a four-point play to get the Bulldogs right back in the game.

UMD continued to chip away at the lead and drew even at 70-70 on a jumper by Myer. Rohrscheib grabbed the lead the next possession, sinking his freebies and Myer got the Bulldogs to 74-70, their biggest lead of the night, off a second chance after freshman guard Mason Steffen ran down a loose ball rebound. Minnesota State (12-5; 8-3 NSIC) made a late push. Kevin Krieger cut the game to one after his corner three but the Neenah, Wis., native awaited the fouls and the ensuing pressure and knocked down the final four free throws. UMD (9-6; 6-5 NSIC) intercepted the last inbound pass to secure its second straight victory and first in Mankato since Feb. 17, 2012. 

Myer led all scorers with 27 points. He shot 10 of 18 from the floor and nailed three of the club's six three pointers. Myer was one rebound shy of his seventh double-double. Burns compiled 19 points and had one of his best nights at the line, going 7-for-11.

As a team, the Bulldogs shot 46.3 percent from the field and out rebounded Minnesota State by 10 (40-30). UMD pulled down 13 offensive boards, leading to 10 points. The Bulldogs, who came into tonight last in free throw percentage, were successful at a 77.4 percent clip (24-31). 

UMD can make another move and snap another long winless streak at the Gangelhoff Center tomorrow night against Concordia University, St. Paul. The Bulldogs have not pulled out a win over the Golden Bears in St. Paul since Dec. 29, 2006. First tip is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

Postgame Reaction: