The University of Minnesota Duluth women's basketball team downed Minnesota State University Moorhead 84-53 in its final regular season matchup to clinch the program's fifth Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) North Division title.
With a 17-5 record, the Bulldogs have clinched the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) North Division title. This marks the program's fifth title and first since the 2022-23 season.
Leading the scoring for the Bulldogs was
Vanessa Bickford with 16 points while hitting 83.3% (5-6) from the field, 75% (3-4) beyond the arc, and 100% (3-3) from the free throw line. Following close behind was the graduating senior class,
Lexi Karge (15),
Myra Moorjani (13), and
Maria Counts (10).
MSUM had the advantage over UMD in the first two minutes, jumping out to a 6-2 lead. Over the next five minutes, the Bulldogs climbed back ahead on a 17-7 scoring run with Bickford (7), Moorjani (5),
Karly Jusczak (3), and Karge (2) combining for a 19-13 lead. Bickford and Moorjani force two more three-pointers in for a 25-13 lead into the second quarter.
The scoring dominance continued in the second quarter with a 15-4 opening run in the first six minutes. Bickford put up a final three-pointer in the last minute to take a 43-22 lead into the halftime break.
After the break, UMD picked right up where they left off as Karge (7),
Claire Bjorge (2), and
Grace Counts (2) combined for 11 points to force a 54-28 lead with 5:51 to go. The Bulldogs closed out the quarter with a 12-8 scoring run to hold a 66-36 lead into the final quarter.
Karge (4),
Maria Counts (3),
Lexi Karlen (2), and Moorjani (2) combined to hold a 34-point lead over the Dragons in the first six minutes. With a 77-43 lead, the Dragons would outscore the Bulldogs 10-7, falling 84-53.
Overall, the Bulldogs scored 60% (33-55) from the field, 55% (11-20) beyond the arc, and 87.5% (7-8) from the free throw line. UMD out-rebounded MSUM 30-27, with
Maria Counts leading the team with six rebounds.
The Bulldogs have earned a first-round bye and await their opponent in the quarterfinals of the NSIC Tournament hosted in the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
