The University of Minnesota Duluth took on Southeastern Oklahoma State on Saturday afternoon in the battle of the upsets. UMD, after beating No. 9 Southern Nazarene on Friday, fell to SEOSU, who beat No. 15 Northern State on Friday, 95-86. The Bulldogs now are sitting 1-1 overall on the year, while the Savage Storm improve to 2-0.
UMD finished the day shooting 52.3% (34-65) from the floor, grabbing 25 rebounds as well as three blocks. SEOSU would finish shoot at 56.1% (32-57) from the floor, grabbing 30 rebounds.
The first half saw the Savage Storm get off to a quick start, scoring the first basket of the game from Kayo Goncalves. The Bulldogs matched that with a layup coming from senior forward
Alex Illikainen to tie things back up. SEOSU found their footing shortly after and started to pick up a lead by scoring seven straight. UMD put down one fo their own to try to stop the momentum, but the Savage Storm would continue to pile on the points and gain their lead. From there on, the Bulldogs would battle and stay in as tight as they could with SEOSU, but the Savage Storm kept the pressure on UMD, not allowing the Bulldogs to find any momentum. The Savage Storm would finish the half by taking a 15 point lead, 42-27 into the locker room.
UMD would come out hungry in the second half, dropping a quick three from senior guard
Trevor Entwisle. After trading point, the Bulldogs would satrt to chip away at the Savage Storm's lead, going on a 16-3 run and cutting SEOSU's lead from 15 down to just five. Redshirt freshman guard
Drew Blair found a three later on, dropping the lead down to four before the Savage Storm were able to drain one of their own. UMD would keep in tight with SEOSU, going point for point and battling back to a three point deficit. The Savage Storm were able to find ground again and hop back out to an eight point lead. The Bulldogs would not be able to complete the comeback, falling to SEOSU despite outscoring them in the second half, 59-53.
Blair would finish the game dropping a match high 31, going 12-16 and putting down 6 three's, grabbing three rebounds along the way. Senior forward brandon Myer would drop 17 in the effort, going 6-14 with 1-4 on three pointers and grabbing six rebounds. Entwisle would finish with 12 points, grabbing two rebounds and one steal. Illikainen would drop 14 in the effort, grabbing three rebounds.
The Bulldogs will host the American Family Classic next weekend. Stonehill, Northern Michigan, Southwest Minnesota State and Minnesota Duluth will all participate, with UMD taking on Northern Michigan (Nov. 15) and Stonehill (Nov. 16).