For the second time in three years the University of Minnesota Duluth women's basketball team is again your NSIC Tournament Champions as UMD knocked off NSIC North rival St. Cloud State 67-55!
 
Junior forward Brooke Olson opened the scoring for UMD off a pass from senior forward Sarah Grow. Defense dominated the bulk of the first quarter as UMD led only 6-5 at the media timeout break. Following the media time out Sarah Grow would give UMD a five point lead via two quick left hand turnaround jump shots. The offense would start come alive after three pointers would drop from both teams. UMD would finish with ten points in the paint in the first quarter and shoot 7-12 (58.3%) from the field as they carried a 15-12 lead into the second quarter of play.
 
UMD would open the next frame with a quick 9-0 run to give UMD its largest lead to that point at 12 forcing St. Cloud to take a time out early in the second quarter. UMD and St. Cloud would then go back and forth trading possessions but not being able to convert on those chances. UMD would then go on another 9-0 run with three buckets from long range to extend their lead to 17 points with 2:20 left in the second quarter. UMD would outscore St. Cloud State 22-9 in the second quarter as the Bulldogs cemented a 37-21 lead into the half. UMD would shoot 15-25 (60%) from the field and 5-7 (71.4%) from beyond the arc. On the other side UMD would hold the Huskies to 8-30 (26.7%) from the field and 2-6 (33.3%) from three point range.
 
Senior guard/forward Payton Kahl would start the scoring for UMD in the second half of play with a nice left handed layup. UMD and St. Cloud would go back and forth during the first half of  the third quarter with both teams scoring nine points at the 4:57 media timeout. The two teams would continue to trade baskets at either end with the Bulldogs being able to maintain a lead of about 15 points or so, and UMD would take a 53-38 lead into the fourth quarter of play.
 
Sophomore guard Kaylee Nelson would open the scoring for UMD with three point basket as the 30 second shot clock expired. Following Nelson's three pointer St. Cloud State would go on a 11-2 run as they started to chip into the Bulldog lead. At the fourth quarter media time out the Bulldogs lead had dropped to just nine points with 4:33 remaining. From there UMD and St. Cloud State would trade points down the stretch as time became more of a factor. UMD would go on a short 6-0 run that would provide the Bulldogs with breathing room as regained a double digit lead. That run would prove to be the knockout punch as the Bulldogs cruised to a 67-55 victory. UMD would finish the game shooting 25-48 (52.1%) from the field and 8-16 (50%) from beyond the long line. 
 
At the final horn Simonet led the Bulldogs with 17 points on 5-7 shooting from the field and 2-3 shooting from beyond the long line, she also grabbed one rebound, and one board. Brooke Olson followed Simonet with 15 points on 7-11 from the field and 1-2 from beyond the arc, Olson grabbed 12 rebounds and dished out one assist. This is Olson's third double-double of the season and her second double-double of the NSIC Tournament. Sarah Grow would finish with 10 points, four rebounds and three assists. Junior guard Maesyn Thiesen and Payton Kahl would both finish with a team high 5 assists. Thiesen would finish with eight points and Kahl with seven.
 
Brooke Olson would be named tournament MVP for UMD, Ann Simonet and Payton Kahl would join Olson as they were named to the All –Tournament team.
 
With today's win UMD locks up an automatic bid to the NCAA DII women's basketball tournament and solidifies their third consecutive NCAA tournament appearance. The Bulldogs will head to regionals in Warrensburg, Missouri March 12-15, 2021.