The University of Minnesota Duluth men's basketball team earned its 11th win in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) competition after forcing an 81-65 victory over Northern State University Saturday.

Leading the way with 15 points each were Kole Hanson, Caleb Siwek, and Jackson Fowlkes. Siwek and Fowlkes both hit 50% and above of three-point shots.

UMD broke out to a 10-6 lead in the opening five minutes of action as Hanson led the way with seven points. By the 8:10 mark, the Bulldogs completed a 17-12 scoring run off the effort of Fowlkes (6), Siwek (6), Hanson (3), and Daniel Molhoek (2) to mark a 27-18 lead.

The Bulldogs continued to expand the lead in the final minutes, which saw Noah Pauslon (4), Owen Leach (2), Siwek (2), Fowlkes (2), Hanson (2), Nick Katona (2), and Mattie Thompson (2) combine for 16 points to mark a 43-31 lead at halftime.

After halftime, UMD expanded the lead on a 12-7 scoring run, helped by NSU going 1-6 from the three-point line. With nine minutes remaining, Owen Leach (3), Molhoek (3), Paulson (2), and Siwek (1) had combined for nine points to hold a 61-42 lead.

With two minutes remaining, NSU had completed a 20-13 run to chip the Bulldog lead down to 74-62. Fowlkes (2), Katona (2), Brooks Johnson (2), and Hanson (1) combined for the Bulldogs' final seven points for an 81-65 victory.

Overall, the team hit 46.7% (28-60) from the field, 41.7% (10-24) beyond the arc, and 83.3% (15-18) from the free throw line. The Bulldogs out-rebounded the Wolves 34-31, with Nick Katona leading individually with nine rebounds.

UMD is now in a tie for the NSIC North Division title with the conference newcomer University of Jamestown. The Bulldogs head back on the road for a matchup against the University of Minnesota Crookston on Wednesday. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. inside Lysaker Gymnasium.