The No.22 ranked University of Minnesota Duluth men's basketball team found themselves completing another comeback win tonight, defeating Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) opponent University of Sioux Falls 78-76 on their annual Senior Night.
Halftime: UMD (36) - USF (41)
Umd found themselves getting off to a cold start tonight from the floor with a lone Middleton three pointer being their only points within the first six minutes of the game, falling to an early 3-14 deficit. Pairs of free throws from N. Katona and Brown would help the Bulldogs respond with an 8-3 point run of their own before the two teams would proceed to go bucket for bucket with each other through the middle minutes. At the seven and a half minute mark, a run of seven unanswered points would equalize the score line for the first time this game, but a few three point shots would allow the Cougars to outscore UMD by five points through the end of the half.
The Bulldogs opened up their senior night efforts shooting 14-33 (42.4%) from the field, 2-6 (33.3%) from outside the arc, and 6-8 (75%) from the charity line through the first half. The Bulldogs were able to force an additional six turnovers out of the Cougars through the first 20 minutes, but fell short in their rebounding efforts to find themselves playing from behind.
Final Score: UMD (78) - USF (76)
Throughout the beginning of the second half, the Cougars just always seemed to have an answer for the Bulldogs offense. With just under 15 minutes left in the half, the Bulldogs would collect eight unanswered points to cut into the USF lead but would be unable to extend it enough. With four and a half minutes left in the contest, UMD found themselves down 67-74. An Andrews layup would start off a chain reaction to collect another six unanswered points for the Bulldogs and cut the USF lead to just one point with around four minutes left to go. The Cougars would be held to just one more two point shot, that would be answered by a C. Katona free throw and a Thompson layup to tie things up with a full two minutes left to go. The two teams battled each other, trading miss for miss until a lane opened for Blair to power through and make the game winning layup, securing another comeback win for the Bulldogs.
UMD capped off their senior day comeback shooting 28-58 (48.3%) from the field, 2-9 (22.2%) from three point range, and 20-29 (69%) from the line. Despite holding the lead for more than 35 minutes of the game tonight, the Cougars foul troubles (22 personal fouls) finally caught up with them and gave the Bulldogs enough of an opportunity to put themselves in front at the end to complete the weekend sweep.
Top Performers
Player of the Game honors go to fifth year senior guard Drew Blair who shot 12-26 (46.2%) from the field, 1-5 (20%) from three point range, and 6-10 (60% from the line for a game high 31 points while also collecting three rebounds, one assists, and one steal. Senior guard Joshua Brown shot 3-6 (50%) from the field and 2-2 from the line for eight points, and also tallied team highs with five rebounds and two assists.
Looking Ahead
Men's basketball head out on the road next weekend to take on the No.15 ranked Minot State University Beavers and the University of Mary Marauders. The action for the Bulldogs will tip off on Friday, Feb. 16, at 7:30 PM.
