The University of Minnesota Duluth women's basketball team shattered the Women's Basketball College Association (WBCA) poll's No. 15 Northern Michigan University Wildcats in a stunning 85-70 victory on the Wildcats' home court.

Entering the matchup, the Wildcats were on an unbeaten six-game win streak to start the season. That is, until the Bulldogs came to town. In another double-digit point game for four UMD athletes, Claire Bjorge led the way with 20 points, with Myra Moorjani and Lexi Karge following one point behind. Grace Counts put up an 11-point game for the top four UMD scorers to combine for 69 points of 85 total. Karge also led the Bulldogs with eight rebounds to keep the ball out of the Wildcats' hands.

Entering the first quarter, the Bulldogs stunned the No. 15 Northern Michigan with an answered six points by Bjorge and Karge in the first three minutes. A two-point jumper from the Wildcats finally put them on the board, trailing by four. UMD continued to keep Northern Michigan in the rear-view mirror as the rest of the quarter saw the Bulldogs steadily advance to a 10-point lead, which included a stadium-silencing three-pointer from Moorjani.

The second quarter again saw the Bulldogs steadily remain ahead through the first three minutes, but a staggering scoring run from Karge, Counts, Moorjani, and Karly Jusczak put the lead to 43-26 before halftime. After the break, a free throw and a layup from the Wildcats attempted to be a momentum shift, but a quick shot from beyond the arc by Counts put the Bulldogs right back ahead by 17 with 7:55 to go. A consistent effort by Northern Michigan in the next seven minutes began to chip the lead down to 48-44. But a determined effort by Bjorge, and Karge kept the lead at six into the final quarter.

The Wildcats remained close throughout the first three minutes, but again the Bulldogs hit the gas to pull out ahead by double digits for the remainder. Moorjani would shoot perfectly from the free throw line over the final two minutes to seal an 85-70 victory over the No. 15 nationally ranked Northern Michigan.

In all, UMD shot 56.9% in field goals, 56.3% from beyond the arc, and 85.7% from the free throw line. Overall, the team combined for season highs in points, field goals made, and free throws made.

The Bulldogs head back to Duluth for their home opener and Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) season opener against Bemidji State University. Tip-off is set for Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.