The University of Minnesota Duluth women's basketball team tallies on their tenth win of the 2023-24 season in tonight's Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) matchup after a commanding 78-64 win over the Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragons.

Halftime: UMD (34) - MSUM (33)

The two teams tonight started off locked in with each other, staying tied at six throughout the first five minutes. Five unanswered points from the Dragons would put UMD at a deficit, but the Bulldogs were quick to respond with a seven point run of their own. UMD would carry a four point lead going into the second quarter and outscore MSUM 5-2 through the first three minutes to create a seven point lead at 22-15. Six points from the Dragons would get them back within one and they would eventually tie things up with just over three minutes left in the half. A Rhoades three pointer at the three minute mark would be exactly what the Bulldogs needed to outscore MSUM 8-7 going into the half and hold on to a one point lead.

The Bulldogs finished off the first half tonight shooting 12-30 (40%) from the field, 1-8 (12.5%) from outside the arc, and 9-15 (60%) from the charity line. The UMD defense continues to control the ball well, forcing nine Dragon turnovers with five of those being steals. Personal foul troubles for MSUM also allowed the Bulldogs over triple the amount of chances from the free throw line, compared to MSUM's two free throw attempts. 

Final Score: UMD (78) - MSUM (64)

A Hakamaki three pointer would help the Dogs outscore the Dragons 7-2 to start off the second half. MSUM would struggle to match the UMD buckets, giving up scores two to one and leading to the Bulldogs outscoring them 24-14 throughout the third quarter. The Bulldogs would hold MSUM to just three buckets from the field through the entire fourth quarter and outscore them 20-17 to end the game with a 14 point lead and leave Moorhead with a win.

UMD finished off the game tonight shooting 28-59 (47.5%) from the field, 6-19 (31.6%) from three point range, and 16-24 (66.7%) from the free throw line. The UMD defense was the star of the Bulldog effort tonight, coming up with 10 steals and forcing 20 MSUM turnovers to complement their increase in offensive momentum throughout the second half.

Top Performers

Graduate student guard Taytum Rhoades runs away with tonight's Player of the Game honors, shooting 8-20 (40%) from the field for a team high 19 points tonight, and comes away with seven assists, four rebounds, two steals, and a block. Graduate student guard Madelyn Granica shot 4-7 (57.1%) from the field for 12 points while also recording team highs with six rebounds and three steals.

Looking Ahead

Women's basketball turns towards Aberdeen, South Dakota to take on the Northern State Wolves tomorrow afternoon. All the action for the Bulldogs will tip off at 4:00 PM.