The No.25 ranked University of Minnesota Duluth women's basketball team proved themselves in their final con-conference matchup of the regular season with a 63-42 win over the Northern Michigan Wildcats to go undefeated in their first homestand.
Halftime: UMD (30) - NMU (16)
The Bulldog defense started off hot in today's matchup, keeping the Wildcats to just two successful shots from the field in the first quarter. The defense would allow UMD to string together a run of 12 unanswered points through the middle minutes and give them a double digit lead going into quarter two. The Bulldogs would hold NMU to just another 2 successful shots from the field and outscore the Wildcats 14-10 throughout the second quarter to go into the break with a 14 point lead.
UMD would shoot 13-30 from the field with a 66.7% free throw percentage throughout the first half. A combined four blocks and three steals through the first 20 minutes of play by the Bulldogs would keep the Wildcats to a 13.3% field goal percentage and shut down any offensive momentum.
Final Score: UMD (63) - NMU (42)
A string of four points early in the third quarter would bring the Wildcats back within 10 of the UMD offense. The two teams would continue to go bucket for bucket with each other through the rest of the quarter and through much of the fourth. However, an early lead by UMD and back to back strings of six and eight unanswered points by the Bulldogs would prove to be too much for the Wildcats and close out UMD's undefeated weekend in Romano.
UMD would close out the game shooting 26-54 from the field with a 30.8% three point percentage and a 53.8% free throw percentage. Nine steals and six blocks for the Bulldogs would help them secure 20 points off of turnovers and their fourth win of the season.
Granica Sets New Career High
Graduate student guard and today's Player of the Game Madelyn Granica set a new career high in today's game, leading the matchup with 27 total points. Her previous scoring high was 13 points set last season against Southwest Minnesota State.
Top Performers
Granica led the Bulldog offense today, shooting 78.6% from the field while going 1-2 from outside the arc and 4-7 from the free throw line for 27 total points. Graduate student guard Taytum Rhoades came in second for scoring with 10 total points but led the game with eight rebounds, three blocks, and three steals.
Looking Ahead
Women's basketball will stick around for another homestand in Romano Gymnasium next weekend against Wayne State and Augustana. The action for the Bulldogs will tip off on Saturday, Dec. 2, at 2:00 PM.
