Duluth, Minn. – The Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs hosted the St. Cloud State Huskies on opening night of NSIC conference play. The Bulldogs would continue their hot start to the season as they defeated the Huskies 86-69. The Bulldogs 5-0 start is the programs best start to a season in over 20 years.
Coming into the matchup, the Bulldogs have been one of the best offenses in the NSIC, and that did not change tonight. The Bulldogs continued to be proficient on the offensive end as they once again started the game off hot. After the Huskies took a 24-22 lead, the Bulldogs would go on a 17-3 run over the last 8 minutes of the half to take a commanding 39-27 lead into the half. The Bulldogs once again were efficient from the field as they shot 15-30 (50%) from the field and 4-11 (36.36%) from three-point range. After a strong start to the game, the Huskies went cold in the last 8 minutes of the half. Overall, the Huskies shot 12-29 (41.38%) from the field and 3-15 (20%) from three-point range in the first half.
In the second half, the Bulldogs kept their foot on the pedal as they built up their lead to as many as 19 points in the second half. The Huskies could not find an answer for the Bulldogs offense as they managed to keep the game out of range of a Huskies comeback attempt in the second half. Whenever St. Cloud State would go on a mini run to pull the game closer, the Bulldogs went on a run of their own to keep the game out of distance. Overall, the Bulldogs shot 15-31 (48.39%) from the field and 4-11 (36.36%) from three-point range. The Bulldogs also shot 13-14 (92.86%) from the foul line in the second half. The Huskies shot 17-34 (50%) from the field and 4-14 (28.57%) from three-point range in the second half.
The Bulldogs were led by a career high night from
Austin Andrews who finished the night with 32 points.
Drew Blair also added 16 points while
Jack Middleton added 15 points. Andrews led the team with 10 rebounds while Middleton led the team with 5 assists. Overall, the Bulldogs shot 30-61 (49.2%) from the field and 8-22 (36.4%) from three-point range. They finished the night with 18-22 (81.8%) from the foul line.
The Huskies were led by Ryan Bagley who had 20 points on the night. Anthony Roberts also added 15 points on the night. Bagley led the team with 8 rebounds while Bagley and Caleb Donaldson led the team with 3 assists each. Overall, the Huskies shot 29-63 (46%) from the field and 7-29 (24.1%) from three-point range. The Huskies also shot 4-6 from the foul line.
Who's Next:
The Bulldogs are back in action this weekend as they travel to face off against Michigan Tech on Saturday November 27 at 11 am. The Bulldogs will also travel to face off against Northern Michigan on Sunday November 28 at 11 am.
