The University of Minnesota Duluth women's basketball team closes out their non-conference schedule this weekend, hosting the Northern Michigan Wildcats on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 12:00 PM and the Michigan Tech Huskies on Sunday, Nov. 24, 12:00 PM at Romano Gymnasium.
Last Time Out
The Bulldogs hosted their home opener on Monday against the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, falling 69-79 to the Rangers despite a late game rally.
The Bulldogs were able to nudge out a one point 19-18 lead by the end of the first quarter against the Rangers, but would go into the halftime break tied at 39-39. After getting out to a slow start in the third, UMD would be unable to battle back into the game in the final quarter, losing 79-69.
Weekend's Spotlight Players:
#11 Myra Moorjani - 1 GP, 15 PTS, 4 RBS, 5 A, 33.3 FG%
#42 Lexi Karge - 1 GP, 13 PTS, 5 RBS, 2 A, 1 STL, 75.0 FG%
#12 Vanessa Bickford - 1 GP, 9 PTS, 2 RBS, 2 A, 3 3-PT FGM
Scouting Report - Northern Michigan
The Northern Michigan Wildcats are 4-0 overall to start their 2024-25 season, pulling out wins last weekend over Crooktson and Bemidji State.
The Bulldogs are 5-3 against the Wildcats since 2013, collecting a 3-1 record at home, 2-1 record on the road in Michigan, and an 0-1 record at neutral sites. The Bulldogs largest margin of victory was 21 points in their most recent meeting, taking down the Wildcats last season 63-42 on the road in Marquette.
The Wildcats are currently led by #23 Jacy Weisbrod, who tallied 66 points, 21 rebounds, and five assists with a 49.1 FG% through their first four games.
Scouting Report - Michigan Tech
The Michigan Tech Huskies are 2-2 overall to start the 2024-25 season after defeating Bemidji State but falling to Crookston last weekend.
The Bulldogs are 4-6 against the Huskies since 2013, collecting a 1-3 record at home and a 3-3 record on the road in Michigan. UMD's largest margin of victory against the Huskies was 17 points (67-50, 2021), and most recently defeated the Huskies last season 69-59 on the road in Houghton.
The Huskies are led by #23 Isabella Lenz, who has tallied 64 points, 10 assists, six blocks, and five steals throughout their first four games of the season.
UMD Slated Eight in NSIC Preseason
The University of Minnesota Duluth women's basketball team was slated to finish eighth in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) preseason coaches poll. The Bulldogs received 119 points in the conference poll after finishing the 2023-24 season in the semifinal round of the NSIC tournament.
Moorjani Named NSIC Player to Watch
Junior guard Myra Moorjani has been named UMD's NSIC Player to Watch for the 2024-25 season. While she made an appearance in all 29 games, Moorjani became a mainstay member in the Bulldogs' starting five for the final 10 games of the 2023-24 season. Moorjani tallied 181 total points last season while averaging 6.2 points per game, 3.0 rebounds per game, and was third on the team with 40 total assists.
Last Season
The Bulldogs closed out their season with a 19-10 overall record, falling in the semifinal round of the NSIC tournament to the University of Mary Marauders.
UMD carried the momentum from their one point win in their regular season finale against St. Cloud State into a dominant 73-69 home victory in the opening round of the tournament over the University of Sioux Falls.
The Bulldogs stayed alive in their first matchup at the Sanford Pentagon, turning a three point deficit after the third quarter into a nine point comeback victory over Concordia St Paul. UMD would go on to fall 75-83 in their semifinal matchup against the University of Marauders.
Looking Ahead
Bulldog women's basketball opens up their NSIC schedule with a home matchup against the reigning NCAA DII champions, the Minnesota State Mankato Mavericks. Tip-off against the Mavericks is currently scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 26, at 5:30 PM.
