The University of Minnesota Duluth women's basketball team faced both their first opponent of the 2025-26 season and their first matchup in the 2025 GAC/NSIC Challenge. After starting the match even with Northwestern Oklahoma State University, the game turned into a 67-57 defeat.

Myra Moorjani led the endeavor with 17 points, sealing four three-pointers, three steals, two rebounds, and two assists. Right behind her was Claire Bjorge with 13 points and four steals.

In the first combined 12 points of the match, the Rangers quickly got out ahead 10-2 in the first three minutes, with the only two points by the Bulldogs coming from a pair of free throws by Moorjani. The Bulldogs quickly flipped the script, mounting a 13-5 scoring run that featured a quick steal and layup in the final four seconds by Bjorge, evening the score.

UMD would stumble in the second quarter in a double-digit effort by Northwestern Oklahoma that pushed the team ahead 27-21 by the end.

Coming out of halftime, UMD looked to cut the six-point deficit as Bjorge scored a combined seven points in the first two minutes to push the Bulldogs ahead by one. The Rangers pushed back ahead by five, but a combined five points by Moorjani and Ashley Fritz put the game back to a tie with 4:35 to go. However, Northwestern Oklahoma responded with a three-pointer to take back the lead for the duration of the third quarter.

With the Rangers ahead 43-36, the Bulldogs would only get within four points after a three-pointer by Moorjani in the first 23 seconds. But they would not get any closer, falling 67-57 by the end.

As a team, the Bulldogs overall finished with a 36.7% field goal rate and 28% from the three-point line. UMD outclassed the Rangers in fast break points with seven to four.

The Bulldogs continue competing in the GAC/NSIC Challenge tomorrow against Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m. inside McCown Gymnasium.