The University of Minnesota Duluth women's basketball team rallied from a 10-point deficit at 64-54 with 6:05 remaining in the fourth quarter to defeat the Northwestern Oklahoma State Rangers 84-78 on the road Saturday, securing their first win of the 2024-25 season.
Final Score: UMD (84) - NWOSU (78)
After falling behind 14-12, the Bulldogs went on a 7-0 run with 1:52 left in the first quarter to take a 19-14 lead. The Bulldogs then added two points to that lead by the end of the period and entered the quarter break with a 22-15 advantage. UMD relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down four shots to account for 12 of its 22 points.
The Bulldogs surrendered their lead in the second quarter, getting outscored by the Rangers 16-9 throughout the quarter, and entered halftime with the score tied 31-31. UMD strived in the paint during the second quarter, scoring six of its nine points close to the basket.
After intermission, Northwestern Oklahoma State snatched a 50-38 lead before the Bulldogs answered back by going on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a three from Moorjani, to trim its deficit to 50-43 with 2:59 to go in the third. NWOSU countered and stretched its lead to 57-47 as the game headed into the fourth. UMD knocked down three shots from beyond the arc in the quarter to score nine of its 16 total points.
UMD kept the Rangers from increasing their lead before collecting 10 unanswered points, to even the score at 64-64 with 3:47 left to go. The Bulldogs kept the rally going and took the lead for good on a Moorjani three-pointer with 01:44 left, grabbing the 84-78 victory. The Bulldogs fired away from deep in the quarter, knocking down five shots to account for 15 of its 37 points.
Bulldog Notes vs. NWOSU
The Bulldogs had three players score in double figures, led by Myra Moorjani, who had 29 points, five assists and a team high two steals. Lexi Karlen tacked on 14 points and a team high six rebounds off the bench and Claire Bjorge chipped in as well with 14 points and a team high five assists.
UMD shared the ball well in Saturday's game, racking up 18 assists on 24 made field goals. UMD forced 13 NWOSU turnovers, with the Bulldogs turning those takeaways into 12 points on the offensive end of the floor.
The Bulldogs made half of their attempts from three point range, knocking down 12 of 24 shots, while recording an assist on 75% of made baskets. UMD had a 35-31 edge on the boards in the win, collecting 14 offensive boards in the game.
Looking Ahead
Bulldogs women's basketball returns home to host the University of Wisconsin-Parkside Rangers at Romano Gymnasium. Tip-off for the Bulldogs home opener against the Rangers is currently set for Monday, Nov. 18, at 5:00 PM.
