The #20 University of Minnesota Duluth women's basketball team hold out for another undefeated weekend in Romano Gymnasium after a 82-68 victory over the Augustana University Vikings in today's Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) matchup.

Halftime: UMD (35) - AU (33)

The Bulldogs would start off the game slow, being held to just three shots from the field and being outscored 11-16 in the first quarter. An early seven point run in the second, jumpstarted by a Granica three pointer, would catch UMD back up to an even 18-18 game. Back to back Moorjani three pointers would lead to an eight point run in the final three minutes to allow the Bulldogs to end the first 20 minutes of the matchup with a two point lead. 

UMD would shoot 12-30 (40%) from the field, 8-9 (88.9%) from the free throw line, and 3-8 (37.5%) from three point range throughout the first half. Eight personal fouls from the side of the Vikings would keep the Dogs close enough throughout play to find the eventual lead going into the break.

Final Score: UMD (82) - AU (68) 

The two teams would match each other's momentum to start off the second half, scoring an even 15-15 throughout the first seven minutes of play. Back to back Moorjani layups and a Granica three pointer would make up a run of seven unanswered points in the final three minutes of the third quarter that sparked the UMD offense into overdrive. The Bulldogs would put together runs of seven and ten unanswered points to outscore the Vikings 25-19 in the fourth quarter and complete their second undefeated weekend in a row. 

UMD would close out the contest shooting 30-61 (49.2%) from the field, 7-18 (38.9%) from three point range, and 15-17 (88.2%) from the free throw line. The Bulldogs collected 19 points off turnovers and took advantage of their 17 attempts from the line to power past a surprisingly aggressive Augustana team for the win. 

Top Performers

Player of the Game honors go to none other than senior guard Taya Hakamaki, who shot 7-13 (53.8%) from the field and 5-5 (100%) from the line for 19 points while also collecting seven rebounds, two steals, and the team's only block. Graduate student guard Madelyn Granica shot 9-13 (69.2%) from the field with four shots from outside the arc for a team high 22 points and tallied on one rebound and one assist. 

Looking Ahead

Women's basketball will go on the road next weekend to take on the University of Sioux Falls Cougars and the Southwest Minnesota State University Mustangs. The Bulldogs will get the action started on Friday, Dec. 8, at 7:30 PM.