The No.12 University of Minnesota Duluth men's basketball team ended up splitting their road trip weekend with a loss to the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs in this afternoon's Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) matchup.
Halftime: UMD (42) - SMSU (34)
The Bulldogs started off the afternoon slow, being outscored 6-8 in the first three minutes, before back to back J. Brown three pointers would give them eight unanswered points to go up 14-8 with 13 minutes left. The two teams would be able to match each other in successful opportunities throughout the rest of the half, but the success of UMD from outside the arc would keep the Dogs ahead going into the half.
UMD shot 16-33 (48.5%) from the field, 8-14 (57.1%) from three point range, and 2-2 (100%) from the free throw line throughout the first half. The Bulldogs found their success from the long range shot to come out with the edge in the first half, compared to the Mustangs who shot 2-10 (20%) from three point range through the first 20 minutes.
Final Score: UMD (72) - SMSU (85)
The first four minutes of the second half would be back and forth scoring with both teams scoring eight points. A run of six unanswered for the Mustangs over the next three minutes would be foreshadowing for what's to come, as SMSU would string together a run of 13 points to take a seven point lead with eight minutes left. Despite the best efforts coming from a Thompson dunk and a C. Katona three pointer, the Bulldogs would get outscored 22-16 to end the game and snap their win streak on the road.
UMD would end the night shooting 25-65 (38.5%) from the field, 11-29 (37.9%) from outside the arc, and 11-14 (78.6%) from the charity line. Even with the Bulldogs' much higher three point success and 11 offensive rebounds, the Mustangs beat them out in the second half with the short range and held UMD to just 26 points in the paint all game compared to their 50 points in the paint.
Top Performers
Senior guard Joshua Brown shot 7-15 (46.7%), 5-8 (62.5%) from outside the arc, and a perfect 4-4 (100%) from the free throw line to post a game high and new season high 23 total points, while also collecting team highs with six rebounds and one block. Graduate student guard Drew Blair shot 5-15 (33.3%) from the field with two three pointers for a second team best 14 points, while collecting four rebounds, three assists, and a steal.
Looking Ahead
Men's basketball will make the trip to the Twin Cities next week to take on the Concordia St. Paul Golden Bears before returning to Romano Gymnasium to host the Winona State Warriors. The action for the Bulldogs will tip off on Thursday, Dec. 14, at 5:30 PM.
