The University of Minnesota Duluth men's basketball squad beat the University of Sioux Falls on Friday evening, 100-65, and improve 9-1 overall (4-0 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference) while USF drops to 7-3 overall (3-1 in the NSIC). The Bulldogs are now riding an eight game win streak.
 
The Bulldogs would shoot a 64.4% (38-59) from the floor on the night, grabbing 37 rebounds,  six blocks, seven steals and would shoot 66.7 (16-24) from beyond the arc. The Cougars would shoot 37.5% (24-64) on the night, grabbing 32 rebounds, one block, four steals and would shoot 47.4% (9-19) from beyond the arc.
 
Redshirt freshman Drew Blair would open scoring with a quick layup. USF would follow with a layup of their own, but UMD senior forward Brandon Myer would drain a 3-pointer in response, with senior forward Alex Illikainen following with two straight baskets to take an early 9-2 lead, the Cougars calling their first timeout. Neither team would score until Myer would drop a 3-pointer a minute later. Illikainen would score another layup for the Bulldogs, taking a 14-2 lead into the first media timeout. USF would score a two out of the timeout, with Myer dropping his third 3-pointer of the game shortly after. Blair would follow shortly with a 3-pointer of his own. Senior forward Yalim Olcay would score a two off a pass from Myer with 12 minutes to go in the first. The Cougars would respond with a 2-pointer to bring the score to 22-6 in favor of the Bulldogs. After two made free throws by USF, Blair would drop another 3-pointer to bring the lead to 25-8. Freshman guard Jack Middleton would get on the board with 10:42 left with a 2-point jumper for the Bulldogs, and after a USF two, Middleton would drain a basket from beyond the arc for a 30-12 lead heading into the second media timeout. After the Cougars would put up five, neither team put up another basket until Myer would drop a 2-pointer for a 32-19 UMD lead. Senior guard Logan Rohrscheib would score his first points by dropping one from beyond the arc before the Bulldogs took their first timeout. Coming out of a media timeout, Myer would score two free throws for a 37-22 lead before the Cougars dropped a 3-pointer. Rohrscheib would score a layup off a pass from senior guard Trevor Entwisle. Scoring would go quiet for almost two minutes before USF scored three from a deep shot beyond the arc. Rohrschieb would drop a free throw with a minute remaining, giving the Bulldogs a 40-28 lead before Blair dropped a quick 2-pointer. UMD would take a 42-29 lead into the half.
 
Rohrscheib would open the second half with a deep 3-pointer with a pass coming from Entwisle. Blair would follow with a 3-ponter, putting UMD up 48-29. USF would grab a two to respond before Myer would drop a 2-pointer of his own. Rohrscheib would drop another 3-pointer after that to force a Cougars timeout with the Bulldogs leading 53-31. Out of the timeout, Myer would drop one in with a foul on the shot. Myer dropped in the free throw and UMD would take a 56-31 lead. Blair would drain two straight 3-pointers after USF scored two free throws, taking a 62-33 lead. The Cougars would score a quick 3-pointer before Myer would score again for two. Olcay would score a free throw before USF would score a 3-pointer. Myer would respond with a basket from beyond the arc. Middleton would drain another 3-pointer before the Cougars would score a two. Sophomore guard Hunter Plamann would drain his first points of the game with a deep 3-pointer. Rohrscheib would score a layup giving UMD a 75-42 lead. USF would score a quick layup before a media timeout. Plamann would nail his second 3-pointer out of the timeout before the Cougars scored two free throws. Olcay scored a quick layup in response. Plamann would drop another 3-pointer for an 82-46 lead. Freshman forward Charles Gorres would slam one home before USF drained a 3-pointer. Sioux Falls dropped a 2-pointer before Plamann droped his fourth 3-pointer with six minutes left. Middleton dropped two free throws with just under six minutes left in the game. UMD would score four more before the final media timeout of the game with the Bulldogs ahead 93-56. The Bulldogs would score seven to finish out the game 100-65.
 
Freshman guard Isaiah Watts would score his first two points of his collegiate career. Middleton would finish with nine points, shooting 50% (3-6) with one steal in 15 minutes. Gorres would finish with five points, going 100% (2-2) from the floor and grabbing four rebounds with one assist in 11 minutes. Blair would finish with 19 points, shooting 77.8% (7-9) from the floor with six rebounds and one assist in 23 minutes. Plamann would score 12 in the game, draining four 3-pointers. Sophomore guard Adam Smith would score his first two points as well, putting the final two points of the game in. Rohrscheib would score 14, grabbing four rebounds and shooting 55.6% (5-9) from the floor. Entwisle would dish out nine assists in the win, grabbing one rebound. Myer would drop 22 in the contest, grabbing six rebounds, with four assists and shooting 61.5% (8-13) from the floor.

The Bulldogs head to Marshall, Minn. to take on Southwest Minnesota State tomorrow evening at 5:30 PM.