The University of Minnesota Duluth women's basketball team is back in Romano Gymnasium this weekend for another full slate of NSIC matchups, playing host to the Augustana University Vikings on Friday, Dec. 13, at 5:30 PM and the Wayne State College Wildcats on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 3:30 PM.

Last Time Out

The Bulldogs closed out their first full weekend of Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) play on the road last weekend, falling to the Southwest Minnesota State University Mustangs and the University of Sioux Falls Cougars.

UMD struggled to open the weekend, falling behind as they attempted to match the offensive production of the Mustangs. After falling to a 42-25 deficit by halftime, the Bulldogs fell further behind in the second half as UMD fell 82-56.

With the help of their long ball, the Bulldogs jumped out to an early 24-18 lead in the first quarter against the Cougars in game two of the weekend. UMD would go on to give up their lead in the second frame, getting out-scored 27-13 throughout the quarter, and could not swing the game back in their favor before the end of the night.

Last Week's Spotlight Players

#45 Johanna Miller - 2 GP, 24 PTS, 10 REB, 3 A, 2 BLK

#11 Myra Moorjani - 2 GP, 22 PTS, 11 REB, 13 A, 2 STL

#23 Claire Bjorge - 2 GP, 22 PTS, 11 REB, 5 A, 2 BLK, 1 STL

Scouting Report - Augustana University

The Augustana University Vikings are 1-7 overall and 0-3 against the NSIC so far throughout the 2024-25 season, most recently coming off a pair of losses against Winona State and Minnesota State Mankato.

The Bulldogs are 9-5 against the Vikings since 2014, holding a 4-2 home record, 3-3 away record, and 2-0 neutral site record against Augustana. UMD's largest margin of victory against the Vikings has been 24 points (69-45, Feb. 2019), with the Bulldogs winning their most recent matchup 68-50 in February of last season.

The Vikings are currently led by senior guard #3 Hannah Burg who is currently averaging 12.0 PPG with 96 total points throughout Augustana's first eight games.

Scouting Report - Wayne State College

The Wayne State College Wildcats are 4-3 overall and 1-2 against the NSIC so far throughout the 2024-25 season, most recently coming off an overtime win against Winona State.

The Bulldogs are 7-5 against the Wildcats since 2014, holding a 4-2 home record, 3-2 away record, and 0-1 neutral site record against Wayne State. The Bulldogs' largest margin of victory has been 23 points (66-43, Dec. 2023), with the winning their most recent matchup 70-57 in February of last season.

The Wildcats are currently led by junior forward #25 Kylah vanDonkergoed who is averaging 13.6 PPG with 95 total points over the Wildcats' first seven games.

Bulldogs Against the Rest

The Bulldogs, as a team, rank second throughout the NSIC in three  different statistical categories and top five throughout the NSIC in six different categories. These categories include: 

Assist/Turnover Ratio (2nd in NSIC, 23rd in NCAA)

Assists Per Game (5th in NSIC, 55th in NCAA)

Field Goal Percentage (4th in NSIC, 71st in NCAA)

Fouls Per Game (2nd in NSIC, 34th in NCAA)

Three Point Percentage (5th in NSIC, 41st in NCAA)

Turnovers Per Game (2nd in NSIC, 37th in NCAA)

Miller's Revenge Game

Graduate student center Johanna Miller is set for a revenge game against her former team. Miller spent the first four seasons of her college career with the Augustana Vikings before transferring to UMD in the offseason. Last season with the Vikings, Miller saw action in 11 games averaging 7.3 points per game and 3.1 rebounds per game.

Freshman Standouts

Freshman guards Vanessa Bickford and Claire Bjorge have become standout members of the Bulldog's starting five throughout the first eight games of the season. The rookie pair has combined for 158 points and 60 rebounds this season while also making up for 55.3% of the Bulldogs' successful three point shots. 

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.

Offseason Losses

The Bulldogs graduated a large majority of their veterans, including losing a large majority of their starting five from the previous season.

Taytum Rhoades leaves UMD after a career season with the Bulldogs. Rhoades led the team in total points, assists, steals, and blocks last season, and closed things out with a NSIC All Conference first team nod.

Ella Gilbertson leaves the program after leading the team in total rebounds throughout 2023-24. Gilbertson was the only other Bulldog member to receive an all conference nod, being named to the NSIC All Conference second team last season.

Taya Hakamaki was able to lead the team last season in average points per game despite missing the final 10 games with a knee injury. Hakamaki ended her time at UMD as a career 90.1% free throw shooter.

Madelyn Granica set new career highs in nine different statistical categories throughout the 2023-24 season. Granica closed out her UMD career with 689 total points.

Abby Johnson spent the last two years of her college career with the Bulldogs after transfering from the University of Nebraska Omaha. Throughout her 38 appearances with the Bulldogs, Johnson collected 172 points, 56 rebounds, and 15 blocks.

Gus Boyer made 51 total appearances fro the Bulldogs throughout her college career. A member of the Bulldogs three consecutive conference championship wins, Boyer collected 46 points, 51 rebounds, and 16 steals while at UMD.

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 host the Winona State University Warriors next weekend before a short weekend road trip to the Twin Cities for a matchup against the Concordia St. Paul Golden Bears. Tip-off against the Warriors is currently set for Wednesday, Dec. 18, at 5:30 PM.