The University of Minnesota Duluth dropped a 65-53 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference decision to Winona State University Friday night at Romano Gymnasium. 

The Warriors jumped out early in the first half and carried that to their 10th victory of the season. The Bulldogs fell behind in the first half by double-digits and never climbed back out of that hole. Senior forward Sean Burns tallied 16 points which led all players but it wasn't enough as Kevion Taylor, Caleb Wagner and Charlie Koontz combined for 39 points for Winona State. The Warriors (10-11; 7-8 NSIC) buried 12 triples and they pressured UMD into 16 turnovers, the most in a regulation game this season by the Bulldogs.

UMD (11-8; 8-7 NSIC) was without its leading scorer junior Brandon Myer, who was a late scratch due to flu-like symptoms. 

Both teams shot 44.4 percent from the field but it was Winona State who benefited from points off turnovers and second-chance opportunities. The Warriors won both of those battles tonight as they scored 16 points off turnovers and put up seven second-chance points. Winona State was held to 65 points on the night, the lowest output in seven games.

UMD struggled from deep in the first half before finding its groove. The Bulldogs missed their opening 10 shots from the outside until freshman guard Hunter Plamann splashed home UMD"s first triple with 1:54 left in the first half. The Bulldogs shot 1-for-12 in the opening half and ended the night 7-for-23 from beyond the arc. 

The shots that fell early for UMD came in the paint as the Bulldogs had their first five buckets within five-feet of the hoop. UMD had 18 points in the paint in the first half but the Warriors locked down the paint in the second, allowing six points after halftime. 

Burns was efficient from the field hitting on seven of his 11 shots. Junior guard Logan Rohrscheib nailed a pair of threes and finished with 12 points. Ngom tied his career high in rebounds and he pulled down eight rebounds for the fourth time in his career. Ngom also dished out three dimes, tying his season high. Sophomore forward Jake Paper tied his career high with eight points when he found nylon on back-to-back three-point attempts.

The Bulldogs return to the hardwood tomorrow when they host Upper Iowa University at 5:30 p.m.


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