The University of Minnesota Duluth women's basketball team kicks off their Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) schedule this week with a matchup against the reigning NCAA national champions, the Minnesota State University Mavericks, on Tuesday, Nov. 26, at 5:30 PM.
Last Time Out
The Bulldogs picked up their first home victory of the 2024-25 season last weekend, coming back from a loss to the Northern Michigan Wildcats to take down the Michigan Tech Huskies the next day.
The Bulldogs went into the halftime break against the Wildcats with a 30-23 advantage, thriving in the paint where they picked up 25 of their 30 first half points. However, they could not stop the fourth quarter comeback from the Wildcats and would go on to lose 65-67.
UMD got out to a quick start, taking a 37-32 lead by the halftime break against the Michigan Tech Huskies. The Huskies would go on to tie things up in the fourth quarter, but a few last second trips to the foul line was UMD's saving grace as they edged out the 71-67 win for their first home win of the season.
Weekend's Spotlight Players
#11 Myra Moorjani - 2GP, 14.0 PPG, 11 REB, 9 A, 2 STL
#45 Johanna Miller - 2GP, 12.0 PPG, 7 REB, 2 A, 1 BLK
#42 Lexi Karge - 2 GP, 9.0 PPG, 18 REB, 7 A, 3 BLK, 1 STL
Scouting Report - Minnesota State
The Minnesota State University Mavericks are 3-1 overall to start the 2024-25 season after taking down the University of Northwestern (MN) on Wednesday.
The Bulldogs are 12-5 against the Mavericks since 2013, holding a 5-3 home record, 4-2 away record, and a 3-0 neutral site record against them. UMD's largest margin of victory was 16 points (86-70, 2023), and most recently lost to MSU last season at home in Romano Gym.
The Mavericks are led this season by by #5 Natlaie Bremer, who has tallied 86 points, 28 rebounds, 10 steals, and six assists throughout MSU's first four games.
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 will head out on the road next week to take on the Southwest Minnesota State University Mustangs and the University of Sioux Falls Cougars. Tip–off against the Mustangs is currently set for Friday, Dec. 6, at 5:30 PM.
