The No.23 ranked University of Minnesota Duluth men's basketball suffers their first loss of the 2024 portion of their schedule this afternoon in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) matchup against the Minot State University Beavers.
Halftime: UMD (37) - MSU (47)
The Bulldogs started off today's matinee hot, connecting for the first two buckets of the game and proceeding to go on a run of 10 unanswered points to go up 14-2 in the first five minutes. The Beavers would respond with a run of their own to outscore the Bulldogs 13-3 over the next four minutes and cut the UMD lead to two points. The Bulldogs would be able to increase their lead back up to seven with the help of a Katona three pointer, but would be struck down by a 10 point run from Minot to take the lead with just over seven minutes left in the half. Another 12 point run from the Beavers would break up the Bulldog scoring as time winded down, keeping them ahead by 10 going into the intermission.
UMD shot 15-32 (46.9%) from the field, 1-9 (11.1%) from three point range, 6-8 (75%) from the free throw line throughout the first half. The Bulldogs struggled to find their typical offensive production from outside the arc tonight, putting them at a disadvantage going into the first intermission.
Final: UMD (69) - MSU (85)
The Bulldogs would come out into the second half securing 10 of the first 14 points with the help of six points from Katona. Back to back runs of seven and nine points from the Beavers to put them ahead by 17 however would prove to be too mountainous of a lead to climb as the Bulldogs, despite outscoring the Beavers 19-18 through the final nine minutes.
The Bulldogs finished the game shooting 25-54 (46.3%) from the field, 4-17 (23.5%) from outside the arc, and 15-20 (75%) from the charity line. The Bulldogs would keep in the fight till the end, capitalizing off of Minot's 15 personal fouls. UMD however would struggle to find their typical production on either side of the ball, falling behind in total shots, rebounds, blocks, and steals.
Top Performers
Senior guard Joshua Brown led this afternoon's scoring for the Bulldogs, shooting 6-13 (46.2%) from the field and 5-6 (83.3%) from the free throw line for 18 total points. Senior forward Charlie Katona shot 7-14 (50%) from the field to match the team high 18 total points, while also collecting four rebounds, a block, and a steal.
Looking Ahead
Men's basketball heads to St. Cloud, Minn. next weekend to take on the St. Cloud State University Huskies. The action for the Bulldogs will tip off at 1:00 PM.
