The No.12 ranked University of Minnesota Duluth men's basketball team extended their win streak to seven consecutive victories tonight as they took down the University of Sioux Falls Cougars in another Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) matchup.

Halftime: UMD (47) - USF (32)

A few back to back buckets for the Bulldogs would give them a small four point lead through the first eight minutes of the first half. Two successful Middleton free throws would kick off a nine point run to put UMD up 23-10 with just over 10 minutes left. They would hold onto this double digit lead throughout the rest of the half with the help of back to back Blair three pointers with less than five minutes, closing out the first 20 minutes of the game 47-32.

UMD shot 19-36 (52.78%) from the field, 4-10 (40%) from outside the arc, 5-6 (83.33%) from the free throw line in the first half. The Bulldog defense would hold the Cougars to 11-30 (36.67%) from the field through the first, allowing the offense to shine.

Final Score: UMD (81) - USF (56)

Another Blair three pointer would kick off the scoring for the second half, where a seven point run would help the Bulldogs outscore USF 17-13 through the first 10 minutes. Another six point run would put UMD up 70-45 with eight minutes left, a 25 point lead that they would ride out till the end to secure their seventh win in a row and keep them undefeated in NSIC play.

UMD ended the night shooting 32-62 (51.6%) from the field, 7-19 (36.8%) from three point range, and 10-15 (66.7%) from the charity line. The Cougar offense would struggle to get a shot to drop tonight, ending with a 31.3% field goal percentage, allowing UMD to capitalize in the paint and rocket out to a mountainous lead from the beginning. 

Top Performers

Graduate student guard Drew Blair shot 8-15 (53.3%) from the field with three buckets from outside the arc and one successful free throw to lead the scoring for the Bulldogs with 20 total points, while also collecting eighth rebounds and three assists. Graduate student guard Jack Middleton led the team with three steals tonight while shooting 2-6 (33.3%) from the field with one bucket from outside the arc and 2-2 on free throws. 

Looking Ahead

Men's basketball heads to Marshall, Minn. to take on the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs tomorrow afternoon. The action for the Bulldogs will tip off at 3:30 PM.