The University of Minnesota Duluth women's basketball team broke their three game losing streak and collected their first win of 2025 tonight, defeating the Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragons 74-50 to end the weekend.
Final Score: UMD (74) - MSUM (50)
After jumping out to a 13-11 advantage to open the afternoon, UMD went on a 6-0 run with 3:32 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Miller, to increase its lead to 19-11. The Bulldogs then maintained that lead and entered the quarter break with a 21-13 advantage. UMD did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 14 of its 21 points close to the basket.
UMD kept its first quarter lead intact before collecting another five unanswered points starting at the 9:27 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Lexi Karge, to increase its lead to 26-15. The Dragons cut into that lead, but the Bulldogs still enjoyed a 34-28 advantage heading into halftime. UMD was strong from deep in the period, knocking down three three-point shots to account for nine of its 13 points.
Following the halftime intermission, UMD continued to expand its advantage, pushing it to 45-32 before going on a 6-0 run to expand its lead further to 51-32 with 1:57 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Dragons had cut into that lead by two points, but the Bulldogs still entered the fourth quarter with a 53-36 edge.
UMD kept its lead intact heading into the fourth before collecting another six unanswered points to grow the lead to 62-40 with 6:13 to go in the contest. The Bulldogs kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 74-50 win. UMD fired away from deep in the quarter, knocking down three shots to account for nine of its 21 points.
Bulldog Notes vs. MSUM
The Bulldogs had four players score in double figures, led by Maria Counts, who had a game high 15 points, four assists and two steals. Myra Moorjani tacked on 14 points and Johanna Miller chipped in as well with a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds.
The Bulldog offense was efficient tonight, shooting 50% from three-point range with nine of 18 shots from beyond the arc falling and recording 17 total assists throughout the game. The UMD bench also came alive by adding 24 points to the total scoring output.
The UMD defense grabbed 41 rebounds in the game compared to MSUM's 39, led by Miller's 13 boards, and held the Dragons to only 10% shooting from beyond the arc and 28.8% from the field.
Looking Ahead
Bulldog women's basketball (5-9, 3-6 NSIC) kicks off a three game homestand next weekend with a matchup against the St. Cloud State University Huskies. Tip-off against the Huskies is currently scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 11, at 1:00 PM.
