The No.22 ranked University of Minnesota Duluth women's basketball team got back to their winning ways in tonight's Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) matchup with a victory over the Winona State University Warriors. 

Halftime: UMD (34) - WSU (16)

The Bulldogs would start things off hot with a Gilbertson three pointer to open up the scoring. The game would go tied through the opening five minutes until a Moorjani jumper would start off an 11 point run for UMD to close out the first quarter. Despite the Warriors pulling out the opening bucket of the second, the Bulldogs would get right back to it with another run of nine unanswered points to go up 30-12 with just under five minutes left in the half. An even 4-4 through the rest of time would keep the UMD lead at 18 going into the intermission. 

UMD would shoot 12-26 (46.2%) from the field, 5-9 (55.5%) from outside the arc, and 5-6 (83.3%) from the charity line to open the game. The Bulldog defense showed their dominance through the first twenty minutes, forcing 10 WSU turnovers while collecting six steals and three blocks to hold the Warriors to a 22.2% field goal percentage. 

Final Score: UMD (65) - WSU (37)

UMD would start off the second quarter with a Karge jump shot, and match scores through most of the third quarter. Another Gilbertson three pointer with three seconds left would help the Bulldogs outscore the WSU 12-10 going into the fourth. Barring one bucket from the Warriors, the fourth quarter would stay relatively quiet, until a nine point run from the Bulldogs would essentially all but close things out. UMD would outscore the Warriors 10-9 in the final four minutes to take their 28 point win and close out the night. 

The Bulldogs would finish off the night shooting 24-53 (45.3%) from the field, 10-23 (43.5%) from three point range, and 7-8 (87.5%) from the free throw line. UMD would force another six WSU turnovers, as well as four blocks and three steals, to close out their defensive clinic of a matchup and keep the Warriors to 26.9% from the field through all four quarters.

Top Performers

Senior guard Ella Gilbertson walks away with tonight's Player of the Game honors, shooting 5-8 (62.5%) from the field, 4-5 (80%) from three point range, and a perfect 2-2 (100%) from the free throw line for a game high 16 points and eight rebounds, while also collecting two steals. Senior guard Taya Hakamaki took away a few game highs with two steals and two blocks, while also collecting six rebounds and shooting 4-10 (40%) from the field for a total nine points. 

Looking Ahead

Women's basketball returns for the first weekend in January following the holiday break against the University of Mary. The Bulldogs will get the action started on Friday, Jan. 5, at 7:30 PM.