The University of Minnesota Duluth men's basketball team defeated a top three nationally ranked team for the first time in at least two decades tonight, taking down the No.2 ranked Minnesota State University Mankato Mavericks 85-70 in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) matchup at Romano Gymnasium.

Halftime: UMD (43) - MSU (43)

The matchup for UMD would start off rocky, slipping to an early 3-9 deficit within the first three minutes of the game. The Bulldogs would respond though with a run of seven unanswered points, highlighted by a Blair three pointer, to take back the lead before the two teams would go shot for shot with each other over the next seven minutes. A 6-0 run for the Mavs would momentarily put them back on top, until two Middleton three pointers would help the Bulldogs outscore MSU 16-12 to end the half and go into the intermission all tied up.

The Bulldogs shot 17-36 (47.2%) from the field, 6-15 (40%) from outside the arc, and 3-7 from the charity line throughout the first half of tonight's matchup. UMD were able to push their physicality and beat the Mavericks to the ball, collecting eight offensive rebounds and five steals through the half while also showing restraint and committing two less personal fouls than MSU.

Final Score: UMD (85) - MSU (70)

The Bulldogs would come out onto the floor in the second half with a fire, where Katona and Blair three pointers would cap off a 21-2 run for UMD through the first six and a half minutes. MSU would get their chance to respond, collecting eight unanswered over the next two minutes. Five points from Katona in a 7-5 run for UMD would precede another eight point run for the Mavs and bring the Bulldog lead down to 71-66 with just over six minutes left in the game. Traded buckets for both teams would lead into an 11-0 run for the Bulldogs over the final four minutes, locking in the win for the home team in front of a packed Romano student section.

UMD ended the high energy night shooting 35-67 (52.2%) from the field, 11-26 (42.3%) from three point range, and 4-11 (36.4%) from the free throw line. The Bulldogs took advantage of their possessions, collecting 44 points in the paint and connecting on three pointers at a roughly 14% higher rate than their opponents, while also putting the pressure on the Mavericks who would commit 11 personal fouls and 12 turnovers throughout tonight's game.

Top Performers

Senior forward Charlie Katona runs away with Player of the Game honors tonight after shooting 9-12 (75%) from the field and 2-3 (66.7%) from three point range for a team high 20 points, while also collecting three rebounds, two blocks, two assists, and two steals. Senior forward Austin Andrews shot 9-14 (64.3%) from the field and 2-7 (28.6%) for 20 points while also collecting a team high eight rebounds. 

Looking Ahead

Men's basketball will set out on the road this weekend to take on Augustana and Wayne State. The action for the Bulldogs will tip off on Friday, Feb. 2, at 7:30 PM.