The University of Minnesota Duluth women's basketball team took another hard fought loss in their final regular season road game, falling to the University of Mary Marauders 69-80 in this afternoon's Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) matchup.

Halftime: UMD (28) - UM (26)

The two teams went back and forth throughout the first quarter, going shot for each other while UMary would take a slight 13-12 lead into the second quarter off an extra free throw shot. The story would stay the same for much of the second quarter but a pair of successful "and one" opportunities from Granica and Moorjani would help the Bulldogs take the final lead change of the quarter in half that saw six different lead changes. 

The Bulldogs shot 10-31 (32.3%) from the field, 1-8 (12.5%) from outside the arc, and 7-7 from the charity line through the first half. Both teams seemed to struggle to find their footing from beyond the three point line, but another strong display of defense from the Bulldogs would produce four blocks and six steals while also forcing an additional four turnovers out of the Marauders to give themselves better opportunities and keep their lead going into the halftime intermission.

Final Score: UMD (69) - UM (80)

The game would find itself tied at 37-37 after five minutes through the third quarter, and the Marauders would collect a 7-0 point run to get the biggest lead of the game so far. Through the final three minutes of the third quarter, the Bulldogs would cut into that lead with a Johnson three pointer and last second layup but would still find themselves down by four going into the fourth. UMD would continue to fight and would outscore the Marauders 10-6 to open up the final quarter, tying the game back up at 58-58 with seven and a half minutes left. However, the Marauders would put together a run of 11 unanswered to secure a large lead with just under five minutes left. The two teams would score an even 11-11 to close things out, with UM being able to find the win off of their earlier lead.

UMD closed out the night shooting 26-67 (38.8%) from the field, 5-23 (21.7%) from three point range, and 12-15 (80%) from the free throw line. The Bulldogs found continued success from their defense, collecting 11 steals and forcing four extra turnovers out of UM, but lost their shooter's hand throughout the second half and struggled to get a shot to fall. 

Top Performers

Graduate student guard Taytum Rhoades 7-13 (46.7%) from the field, 1-3 (33.3%) from three point range, and 2-2 from the line to lead the Bulldogs with 17 points while also leading the team with four assists, three blocks, and three steals. Graduate student guard Madelyn Granica shot 3-6 (50%) from the field, 1-2 (50%) from three point range, and 1-3 (33.3%) from the line for eight total points and led the team with nine rebounds.

Looking Ahead

Women's basketball is back next week to play their final regular season game, hosting the St. Cloud State Huskies. The action for the Bulldogs will tip off on Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 5:30 PM.