The University of Minnesota Duluth women's basketball team got themselves another win on their annual Senior Night with a 67-49 victory over Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) opponent, the University of Sioux Falls Cougars.
Halftime: UMD (29) - USF (26)
Things got off to a hot start for both teams, with each team collecting a short range bucket and a three point shot to be tied at 5-5 within the first three minutes. A Moorjani three pointer would help the Bulldogs stay close, but USF would be able to outscore the Bulldogs through the final minutes of the first quarter and carry a one point lead into the second. The Cougars would build that lead to two points through the opening four minutes of the second quarter, using a pair of free throws to compensate for a Johnston three pointer and go up 17-19 with six minutes left in the half. However, five unanswered point from the Bulldogs and a last minute Gilbertson three pointer would allow the Bulldogs to outscore USF and take a three point lead by the intermission.
The Bulldogs opened up their senior night performance shooting 12-28 (42.9%) from the field, 4-10 (40%) from outside the arc, and 1-1 from the charity line through the first half. They two teams stayed relatively close to each other, both staying around the 40% mark from the field, but UMD would force two additional turnovers out of the Cougars that would make all the difference in earning that first half lead.
Final Score: UMD (67) - USF (49)
The Bulldogs would carry the momentum they found at the end of the first into the second, starting off their scoring effort with a 7-0 point run and another 6-0 point run no more than three minutes later. UMD would find themselves up 52-39 after starting off the fourth quarter with another four unanswered points. They would not let the Cougars string too far away from them, going 9-10 in scoring with them through the middle minutes of the final quarter. But it would be all UMD through the final two and a half minutes, scoring six unanswered points with four off of free throws to collect a double digit win and end their senior night on a high note.
UMD capped off their Senior Night victory shooting 26-57 (45.6%) from the field, 6-17 (35.3%) from three point range, and 9-17 (52.9%) from the free throw line. The Bulldogs effort to play aggressively off the glass and hold strong on possessions led to eight additional offensive rebounds and helped the Bulldogs force four additional turnovers out of the Cougars to take home the victory and the weekend sweep.
Top Performers
Player of the Game honors go to senior guard Ella Gilbertson who shot 7-15 (46.7%) from the field, 3-7 (42.9%) from three point range, and 4-5 (80%) from the line for a team high 21 points while also collecting eight rebounds and one assist. Graduate student guard Taytum Rhoades 5-14 (35.7%) from the field and 1-2 (50%) from the line for 11 points and also tallied five rebounds, four assists, three steals, and two blocks.
Looking Ahead
Women's basketball is back next weekend to take on the Minot State University Beavers and the University of Mary Marauders on the road. The action for the Bulldogs will tip off on Friday, Feb. 16, at 5:30 PM.
