SIOUX FALLS, SD- The No. 9 University of Minnesota Duluth women's basketball team took down Concordia 82-55 in the quarterfinal round of the NSIC tournament Saturday morning. This marks the fifth year in a row the Bulldogs have solidified their spot in the NSIC  semi-finals. 

The Bulldogs saw three players hit double digits in today's game. Brooke Olson led the way with 28, Freshman Lexi Karge took the second spot ending the day with 14 points, and Taytum Rhoades would follow up in the third spot with 13. 

After a significant amount of back and forth between the two teams, UMD's nationally ranked defense was put to the test. The Golden Bears would be the first team on the board, but the Bulldogs would get their offense started by nailing a three pointer to put them on the board. Karge would come up big for the Bulldogs in the first quarter, making back to back  buckets to keep the Bulldogs tied at seven. Olson also scored back to back buckets, but an extra Golden bear jumper would put the bears out in front 11-9.  Ella Gilberston would then drive to the hoop and draw the foul, bringing the Bulldogs back within one. 

Olson would continue her offensive show and get the and-one and complete three point play to tie it up again at 13. Both the Golden Bears and Bulldogs would go on to score twice more, ending the quarter at 17-17. 

The Bulldogs finally were able to pull away from the Bears in the second quarter thanks to offensive showings from Olson and Karge. Olson led the charge of the first, going six for six in field goals. The Bulldogs would go on to have a 10-0 run midway through the second quarter, extending their lead significantly for the first time of the day. Concordia would answer with their own run, but was shut down by the Bulldog defense, giving the Bulldogs a 36-29 lead at the half. 

To kick off the third, the Bulldogs struck first with a Taytum Rhoades and-one and completed three point play. Olson would follow immediately with a three point play of her own, bringing the Bulldog lead to 12. The Golden Bears would break UMD's streak with a two-point bucket of their own. The Golden Bears would then answer with a three, but not to be overshadowed, Rhoades answered with a three of her own to put the Bulldogs back up by 12. Late in the third, an Olson three pointer, blocked shot, and layup sequence propelled the Bulldogs to finish the quarter 61-41. 

Fourth quarter started on a fast break thanks to Taya Hakamaki. The Bulldogs were able to pull ahead by 20, giving them a 63-43 lead which allowed the Bulldogs some breathing room. After another set of back to back layups from Rhoades and Gilbertson, Senior Ani Tschida would drop back to back jumpers of her own, leading the Bulldogs to end their quarterfinal game 82-55. 

UP NEXT
The Bulldogs will face off against the winner of Augustana and Northern State on Monday Feb. 27 at 11:00 am at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, SD. Augustana and Northern State will face off Sunday Feb. 26 at 11:00 am.