THE OPENING TIP: The University of Minnesota Duluth return to Romano Gymnasium this weekend for a pair of Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference bouts against Augustana University (Feb. 7) and Wayne State College (Feb. 8).

SCOUTING REPORT ON AUGUSTANA UNIVERSITY: The Vikings are coming off of a weekend sweep over a pair of NSIC opponents. Augustana first took on Minot State University, handling the Beavers fairly easily by a score of 75-64. The Vikings then took on the University of Mary Marauders. Augustana would beat UMary by a score of 80-73. In the past five games, the Vikings have amassed a 4-1 record and have dropped one game in the past eight contests, falling only to Minnesota State University by one point 61-60. They carry a 13-7 record overall on the year and have scrapped together a 9-7 record against NSIC opponents so far this season. That 9-7 record is good for a standalone 4th spot in the Southern Division and are in a tie for 7th (with the University of Mary) in the NSIC overall. At the helm of the program in his 31st season as head coach is Dave Krauth. Krauth has an all-time record of 641-276 (.699) while coaching, all games coming with Augustana.
Playing in all 20 games and averaging 12.0 points per game so far this season is Abby Hora. Hora has started all 20 games and sits third on the team with an average of 4.0 rebounds per game. She also leads the team with 47 assists on the year and has been shooting 39.0% (90-231) from the floor while draining 31.2% (29-93) from beyond the arc.. Hana Beyer is sitting third on the team for assists with 32 on the year, she also leads the squad with an average of 5.6 rebounds per game and has been scoring an average of 6.0 points per game. Beyer leads the team in the steals department, snagging 42 on the year. She has amassed five blocks as well.

SCOUTING REPORT ON WAYNE STATE COLLEGE: The Wildcats are coming off of a weekend split. WSC first played host to the University of Mary, where they would lose by just basket to the Marauders in overtime (83-81). The Wildcats would then play host to Minot State University, just squeaking by the Beavers by one point (73-72). WSC is 3-2 in its past five games, beating Minot State University, Concordia-St. Paul (83-74) and Northenr State University (79-67) while falling to the University of Mary and Minnesota State University (79-69). The Wildcats are now 15-7 on the year while going 10-6 when facing off against NSIC opponents, which is good for a tie (with Winona State University) for 2nd in the Southern Division and a tie (with WSU) for 5th in the NSIC overall. In his 2nd season with Wayne State and 5th overall as a head coach is Brent Pollari. Pollari has an 80-51 (.611) overall record while heading Saint Mary's (D-III) and Wayne State, while going 30-22 (.577) with the Wildcats.
Erin Norling has been the leader in the Wildcats offense thus far. Norling has been able to piece together a 19.3 points per game average on the season, playing in 33.0 minutes a night. That 19.3 average in good for 2nd in the NSIC and 27th in the DII landscape. Norling also snags a team high 8.0 rebounds per game, has been shooting at a 44.8% (162-362) from the floor and sits second on the team in blocks with 24. Hailey Busse has been a solid No. 2 behind Norling in scoring, dropping 14.5 per game. She's has played an average of 29.5 minutes a night and has nailed a team leading 45 shots from beyond the arc. Brittany Bongratz has been a monster at rebounds as well this year, while Norling has been grabbing 8.0, Bongratz has been able to pace just behind her with 6.8 per game thus far.    

THE SERIES: In the past five years, the Bulldogs have gone 3-4 against the Vikings. However, UMD has been able to win the past two meetings between the two sides, with each of those two contests coming last year (80-72, 69-45) in Sioux Falls, SD.
When it comes to the Wildcats, the Bulldogs have had a little more trouble handling them. UMD has been 2-3 in the past five meetings with WSC, with last years contest swinging in favor of the Bulldogs (79-57). UMD hopes to flip its fortune around this weekend.

LAST TIME OUT: The Bulldogs bounced a pair of NSIC opponents last weekend, taking on Winona State University and beating the Warriors 72-59. UMD then took on Upper Iowa University, taking it to the Peacocks in a 67-57 win. The Bulldogs improved to 17-5 overall record on the year and a 14-2 NSIC record, which is good for first place in both the Northern Division as well as the NSIC overall and are riding a 3-game win streak.

HOW THEY RANK: Below is a look at the Bulldogs overall record, division rank, and rank in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association DII Poll, as well as their opponents.
 

SCHOOL	OVERALL	NSIC OVERALL	WBCA
UMD	17-5	1ST	NR
AUG	13-9	7TH	NR
WSC	15-7	5TH	NR

THE BROADCAST: The game between the Bulldogs and the Huskies will be available through live streaming capabilities at the following link:

UMDBulldogs.com/watch

Live stats are available through the same link, following the live stats button: UMDBulldogs.com/watch

ON TAP:  The Bulldogs will remain at home the following weekend to finish up regular season action in Romano Gymnasium. UMD will face Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference opponents Northern State University (Feb. 14) and Minnesota State University Moorhead (Feb. 15).