The University of Minnesota Duluth women's basketball team is gearing up for a tough home and away schedule ahead of the holiday break, taking on the Winona State University Warriors at home on Wednesday, Dec. 18, at 5:30 PM and the undefeated Concordia St. Paul Golden Bears on the road on Saturday, Dec. 21, at 1:00 PM.

Last Time Out

The Bulldogs put an end to their three game losing skid last weekend with a much needed home stint in Romano Gymnasium, collecting a pair of wins over the Augustana University Vikings and the Wayne State College Wildcats.

The Bulldogs got out to a hot start to open the weekend against the Vikings, continuing to dominate in the post to take an early 35-21 lead going into the halftime break. UMD held on to their lead till the end of the game to collect their first conference win of the season and snap their three game losing streak.

The Bulldogs continued the energy going into their Saturday matchup against the Wildcats, this time benefitting off their three point shooting in the first quarter to jump out to a 32-27 lead by the halftime break. UMD was able to preserve their lead throughout the second half to come away with the victory and collect their first weekend sweep of the season.

Last Week's Spotlight Players

#45 Johanna Miller - 2 GP, 35 PTS, 15 REB, 1 A, 1 STL, 57.7 FG%

#23 Claire Bjorge - 2 GP, 28 PTS, 9 REB, 3 A, 3 STL, 42.8 FG%

#11 Myra Moorjani - 2 GP, 27 PTS, 11 REB, 4 A, 46.1 FG%

Scouting Report - Winona State University

The Winona State University Warriors 6-5 overall and 2-3 against NSIC opponents throughout 2024-25, most recently coming off a loss to the Southwest Minnesota State University Mustangs. 

The Bulldogs are 8-3 against the Warriors since 2014, holding a 3-2 home record and a 5-1 away record against WSU. UMD's largest margin of victory over the Warriors has been 28 points (65-37, Dec. 2023) in their most recent matchup last season.

The Warriors are currently led by senior #0 Olivia Gamoke who is currently averaging 15.3 PPG with 168 total points over 11 games with WSU this season.

Scouting Report - Concordia St. Paul

The Concordia St. Paul Golden Bears are 11-0 overall and 5-0 against NSIC opponents throughout 2024-25, most recently coming off a victory over the Augustana University Vikings.

The Bulldogs are 7-6 against the Golden Bears since 2014, holding a 4-0 home record, 1-6 away record, and 2-0 neutral site record against CSP. UMD's largest margin of victory over the Golden Bears has been 44 points (86-42, Jan. 2022), and most recently defeated CSP 66-57 in the quarterfinal round of the NSIC tournament last season.

The Golden Bears are currently led in scoring by junior guard #23 Lydia Haack who is averaging 16.4 PPG with 180 total points over 11 games played with CSP this season.

Bulldogs Against the Rest

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

Assist/Turnover Ratio - 1.06 (3rd in NSIC, 31st in NCAA)

Field Goal Percentage - 42.9 (4th in NSIC, 67th in NCAA)

Fouls Per Game - 14.9 (2nd in NSIC, 43rd in NCAA)

Three Point Percentage - 34.2 (5th in NSIC, 49th in NCAA)

Turnovers Per Game - 13.5 (1st in NSIC, 23rd in NCAA)

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

The Bulldogs return from the holiday break with an away weekend against the Northern State University Wolves and the Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragons. Tip-off against the Wolves is currently set for Friday, Jan. 3, at 5:30 PM.