The University of Minnesota Duluth women's basketball exacted their revenge tonight in a home Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) matchup, taking down the Southwest Minnesota State University Mustangs 72-52 for their annual Pink Game.

Halftime: UMD (40) - SMSU (18)

After each team traded on buckets to start off the game tonight, the Bulldogs sprinted off to a 15-0 run through the middle six minutes of the first quarter. They would jump out to a 17 point lead going into the second quarter, outsourcing the Mustangs 24-7 through the first ten minutes. They would keep the momentum going, collecting the first four points of the second quarter. SMSU would get four points of their own back on the board before M. Counts would connect on back to back three point shots to push the Bulldogs up to a 34-11 lead. UMD would go 6-7 with the Mustangs in point through the final three and a half minutes of the half put themselves up 40-18 before the intermission.

The Bulldogs shot 15-29 (51.7%) from the field, 5-10 (50%) from outside the arc, and 5-6 (83.3%) from the charity line through the first half tonight. UMD continued to show strength on the defensive side of the ball collecting four steals and six blocks while also outrebounding the Mustangs 23-21 through the first 20 minutes, complimenting their offensive proficiency tonight shooting over 50%.

Final Score: UMD (72) - SMSU (52)

SMSU would take their opportunity to cut the lead down throughout the third quarter, benefiting on 13 of their 14 attempts from the line to outscore the Bulldogs 22-13 and cut the Bulldog lead down to 13 points at 53-40. UMD would find it in their system to match the new found energy of the Mustangs going into the final 10 minutes of the game. They would collect the first four points of the final quarter, and outscore the Mustangs 13-11 with just over four minutes left to go. The two teams would score an equal 6-6 though the end of the game and hold down the lead to collect their first win of the weekend.

UMD ended the night shooting 25-54 (46.3%) from the field, 7-16 (43.8%) from three point range, and 15-20 (75%) from the free throw line. The difference maker tonight proved to be the Bulldogs offense firing on all cylinders, connecting for more buckets and on less attempts from the field compared to the Mustangs who ended the night shooting 17-60 (28.3%) from the field.

Top Performers

Player of the Game honors go to senior guard Ella Gilbertson who shot 4-9 (44.4%) from the field and 3-3 from the line for 11 points and 10 rebounds in her double double performance. Graduate student guard Madelyn Granica shot 3-6 (50%) from the field and 5-7 (71.4%) from the line for a team high 12 points tonight while also collecting 10 rebounds.

Looking Ahead

Women's basketball returns to Romano Gym tomorrow for Senior Day where they will take on the University of Sioux Falls Cougars. The action for the Bulldogs will tip off at 3:30 PM.