Despite going into the fourth quarter tied 67-67, the University of Minnesota Duluth women's basketball team could not take control and fell 87-85 to the Southeastern Oklahoma State University Savage Storm in Friday's season opener.

Final Score: UMD (85) - SEOSU (87)

SEOSU got off to a quick start, jumping out to a 17-16 advantage and collecting a 6-0 run with 3:32 left in the first quarter to increase its lead to 23-16. However, a Lexi Karlen three pointer helped the Bulldogs respond and tie things up at 23-23 heading into the second quarter.

A back and forth second quarter resulted in the Savage Storm edging out a 27-23 scoring advantage, leaving the Bulldogs trailing 50-46 at the halftime break.

A 17-12 scoring run for the Savage Storm built up their lead to 67-58 with 3:15 left to go in the third quarter. Though a 9-0 scoring run, kicked off by a Claire Bjorge three pointer and punctuated by a layup from Bickford, rallied the Bulldogs to tie it at 67-67 heading into the fourth quarter. UMD turned two offensive rebounds into 18 second chance points on the way to scoring 21 total points in the quarter.

Six unanswered points in just under two minutes allowed SEOSU to begin the fourth quarter out-scoring the Bulldogs 16-6 and building their lead to 83-73 with less than four and a half minutes to go. UMD would not go down without a fight though, collecting a 9-0 scoring run to get them back within one point at the two and a half minute mark. Though a SEOSU three pointer allowed the Savage Storm to capitalize on their narrow lead and defeat the Bulldogs 87-85 in the season opener on the road.

Bulldog Notes vs. SEOSU

The Bulldogs had five players score in double figures, led by Claire Bjorge, who had 23 points. Myra Moorjani added 16 points and Lexi Karge helped out with 15 points and seven rebounds.

UMD utilized fantastic ball movement in Friday's game, piling up 15 assists on 30 made field goals. Bjorge's three assists were the most for the Bulldogs and Vanessa Bickford also added three assists of her own.

UMD collected a 37-26 rebounding advantage, cleaning up on the offensive glass with 13 offensive boards throughout the game. Lexi Karge led the team and the game with a total of seven rebounds.

Looking Ahead

Bulldog women's basketball is back in action tomorrow in Alva, Ok., taking on the Northwestern Oklahoma State University Rangers. Tip-off against the Rangers is currently set for 5:30 PM.