The University of Minnesota Duluth women's basketball team fell short tonight in their weekend opening matchup, falling to Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) opponent Minot State University 54-66

Halftime: UMD (29) - MSU (22)

UMD started off the game hot, collecting 12 unanswered points after MSU's opening bucket to gain a 12-2 lead with just under seven minutes left in the quarter. A Johnson three pointer would help the Bulldogs outscore the Beavers 7-6 throughout the rest of the first, and the game would slow down on the scoring front with nobody connecting through the first three and a half minutes of the second. UMD would struggle to connect from the field, but would benefit off of multiple fouls from the Beavers and would collect six points from the line to finish off the quarter and go into the half with a seven point lead. 

The Bulldogs closed out the first half tonight shooting 10-21 (47.6%) from the field, 3-7 (42.9%) from outside the arc, and 6-6 from the charity line. UMD was able to take control through the first half from the very beginning, out-rebounding the Beavers 15-13 throughout the half and shutting down all three point attempts from MSU who went 0-7 in shots from range.

Final Score: UMD (54) - MSU (66)

Four unanswered points and a Johnston three pointer would allow the Bulldogs to open up the second half action 13-7 on the scoring front through the first four and a half minutes. However, the Beavers would find their stride to go on a 20-0 run through the rest of the third quarter and the very beginning of the fourth. Two successful trips to the line for Rhoades would help UMD go on a 8-2 run to get within one point of the Beavers with just over four minutes left in regulation. Though the MSU would not go out without a fight as they would hold the UMD to just one successful shot from the field and two free throws, closing out the game on a 15-4 scoring run and preventing the Bulldogs from clinching the game.

UMD finished off the night shooting 17-41 (41.5%) from the field, 4-14 (28.6%) from three point range, and 16-20 (80%) from the line. The Bulldogs struggled to gain their momentum back going into the second half, falling behind in rebounds and stumbling to find the same offensive success that they had throughout the first twenty minutes. 

Top Performers

Graduate student guard Taytum Rhoades topped the charts tonight, shooting 6-13 (46.2%) from the field, 1-3 (33.3%) from three point range, and 9-10 (90%) from the free throw line for a game high 22 points, while also leading the team with five rebounds and seven assists. Senior guard Ella Gilbertson shot 3-5 (60%) from the field for nine total points tonight and collected five rebounds while also leading the team with 3 steals. 

Looking Ahead

Women's basketball heads to the University of Mary tomorrow afternoon for their second matchup of the road trip. The action for the Bulldogs will tip off at 3:30 PM.