The #12 University of Minnesota Duluth Men's Basketball team split this weekend's games at the GAC/NSIC Conference Crossover, falling to the East Central University Tigers today in their second game of the regular season.
First Half: UMD (24) - ECU (23)
The scoring got off to a slow start for both sides with neither team, barring a singular successful free throw from UMD, scoring in the first four and a half minutes. UMD would get things going with a quick two point layup, but proceed to let through a string of 13 unanswered points.The Bulldogs would be quick to catch up with both of their successful three point shots coming in the final 12 minutes of the half. UMD would put together a string of six to close out the half with a one point lead.
UMD went 9-23 with a 39.1% field goal percentage throughout the first half. They would struggle to get their three point shot going until the later minutes going only 2-10 on three point attempts, but would capitalize from the line by forcing five fouls out of ECU and going 4-6 on free throw attempts.
Final Score: UMD (58) - ECU (62)
UMD would get the second half rolling with nine unanswered points through the first five minutes. However, a costly 11 fouls throughout the second half for UMD helped the Tigers put together multiple strings of six to eight points to take their first lead of the half with just over two minutes left. Four successful free throws would help ECU outscore the Bulldogs 9-3 in the final minutes of the game, and give UMD their first loss of the 2023-24 season.
UMD showed improvement in the shooting, going 14-27 with a 51.9% field goal percentage in the second half. 5-15 of the Bulldog's three point attempts were successful, and they held the lead for over 18 minutes. Their true downfall was the 11 fouls compared to ECU's eight, resulting in 13 successful free throws for the Tigers.
Top Performers
Senior forward Austin Andrews went 7-10 from the field with four rebounds, leading the entire game with 16 total points tonight. Senior guard Joshua Brown led the match with eight rebounds and tied for first with five assists, while also going 2-5 from the field with 6 points.
Up Next
Men's Basketball will stay closer to home next weekend to participate in the 2023 Parkside Classic. The action for the Bulldogs will kick off on Friday, Nov. 17 against UW Parkside at 7:00 PM.
