URGENT UPDATE: The Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs triumphed over UMary with an impressive 80-65 victory on Saturday, marking their eighth consecutive win. The game took place at Romano Gym, where UMD showcased a stunning first-half performance that set the tone for the match.
Right out of the gate, the Bulldogs dominated, fueled by a strong inside game from Lexi Karge and Grace Counts. Karge opened the scoring with a flurry of baskets, while a crucial 3-point play from Myra Moorjani helped UMD sprint to an early lead of 13-2 in the first quarter. The Bulldogs maintained their momentum, finishing the first frame with a commanding 29-13 lead after shooting a scorching 11-of-13 to start the game.
The second quarter saw UMD continue its offensive onslaught, with Karge and Counts combining for a staggering 27 points by halftime. Karge finished the half shooting an impressive 7-of-8 (87.5%), while Counts followed closely at 6-of-7 (85.7%). The Bulldogs dominated in the paint, outscoring UMary 42-12 in points in the paint and finishing the half with a lopsided score of 52-28.
Despite facing a significant deficit, the Marauders made a strong push in the third quarter. They drained an impressive 6-of-7 from beyond the arc, cutting the Bulldogs’ lead to just 10 points at 64-54. Leading the charge for UMary was Bergen Kinnebrew, the NSIC’s top scorer, who contributed 13 points in the third stanza.
However, the Bulldogs quickly regained their composure, pushing the lead back to 14 points at the start of the fourth quarter. UMD maintained its double-digit advantage throughout the final frame, sealing the victory with a dominating performance that showcased their skill and teamwork.
With a staggering 60-26 advantage in points in the paint overall, Karge led the Bulldogs with a game-high 17 points. Supporting her were Moorjani and Claire Bjorge, each contributing 13 points, along with Counts and Ashley Fritz, who both added 12 points.
The Bulldogs also excelled defensively, recording 14 steals, with Moorjani leading the charge with 5 steals and Bjorge adding 4 steals.
Looking ahead, UMD will travel for its next matchup against Bemidji State on January 3, 2023. Bulldogs fans can expect another thrilling game as the team aims to extend their winning streak to nine games.
