The No.22 ranked University of Minnesota Duluth men's basketball completed the comeback to take down Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) opponent Southwest Minnesota State 70-62.
Halftime: UMD (33) - SMSU (35)
UMD would collect the first points of the night off a C. Katona three pointer, but would quickly be matched by back to back threes from SMSU to fall to an early 3-6 deficit. A Middleton three pointer would start off an 11-0 run for UMD over the following two and a half minutes that would be filled up by another four points for the Dogs to take a 18-8 lead with 12 minutes left in the first half. The Mustangs would outscore UMD 12-2 over the next four minutes to tie everything up at 20-20 by the eight minute mark. Seven point run would help SMSU match the two UMD three pointers in the final over the final eight minutes to take a small two point lead going into the intermission.
The Bulldogs shot 11-29 (37.9%) from the field, 4-14 (28.6%) from outside the arc, and 7-10 (70%) from the charity line through the first half of tonight's matchup. UMD would be able to force three extra turnovers out of the Mustangs, but two extra successful three pointers from SMSU would allow them to hold onto a slight lead going into the second half.
Final Score: UMD (70) - SMSU (62)
The two teams would continue to battle to open things up in the second half, with SMSU barely outscoring UMD 9-7 over the first six minutes. The Bulldogs would find an answer with offensive momentum of their own, finding multiple 6-0 point runs to outscore the Mustangs 21-7 over the following eight minutes to take a 61-51 lead with just under six minutes left. The Mustangs would scramble to attempt an attack at the 10 point lead, and even outscore the Bulldogs 11-9 throughout the end of the game, but in the additional free throw shots gained from SMSU's struggle to regain possession of the ball would be exactly what UMD needed to hold onto their lead and close out the night.
UMD finished the night shooting 21-52 (40.4%) from the field, 9-25 (36%) from three point range, and 19-31 (61.3%) from the free throw line. 24 personal fouls from the Mustangs and an extra effort by the Bulldogs to collect three more offensive rebounds provided them with that additional drive to take the lead and collect their first win of the weekend.
Top Performers
Fifth year senior guard Drew Blair walks away with the Player of the Game honors tonight, shooting 8-16 (50%) from the field, 4-9 (44.4%) from three point range, and 4-6 (66.7%) from the line for a game high 24 points while also collecting eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Graduate student guard Jack Middleton 3-9 (33.3%) from the field and 8-9 (88.9%) from the line for 17 points tonight while also collecting two rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block.
Looking Ahead
Men's basketball returns tomorrow afternoon to take on the University of Sioux Falls Cougars at Romano Gym for their annual Senior Day. The action for the Bulldogs will tip off at 5:30 PM.
