Bulldogs top UWS in bridge battle

Minnesota Duluth forward Taylor Meyer started 14 games for Minnesota Duluth in 2012-13, showing great promise as a true freshman.

But if things go the way the Bulldogs want this winter, Meyer won't start any games at all.

UMD is hoping senior standout Hannah Rutten can stay healthy in the post this season, unlike last year, while Meyer provides a lift off the bench when Rutten comes out.

So far, so good.

Meyer scored a game-high 19 points off the bench to lead UMD to an 89-43 nonconference women's victory over Wisconsin Superior on Tuesday night before a crowd of 753 at Romano Gym.

"I definitely feel more poised out there this year and feel I can help the team even more, even if it's off the bench," Meyer said. "Coach (Annette Wiles) stressed how she wants me to be a spark plug off the bench, and I'm okay with that. I'm a firm believer knowing it's not so much the time you get, but what you do with that time."

Minnesota Duluth (2-1) was just too big, too fast and too strong in this one as UWS (1-2) still is adjusting after losing four of its top players from last season, including three starters.

UMD held a 37-19 rebounding advantage while shooting 53 percent from the field, including 9 for 21 from 3-point range.

"UMD is a tall, strong, physical team. The Bulldogs have many strengths, and one of their strengths is their strength," UWS coach Don Mulhern said. "They did a good job disrupting our offense, but that's why you play the tough early season games. It gives you a chance to work on some things and see what you need to get better at. You have to figure out your identity."

Rutten added 13 points and seven rebounds for UMD, while junior guard Danielle Flood added eight points and six assists. Junior guard Alyssa Kerkhoff chipped in with eight points and four steals as the Bulldogs' ball pressure got to the Yellowjackets.

Junior guard Sally Linzmeier had 10 points to lead UWS, but clearly is being asked to do a lot while Mulhern figures out his new-look squad.

"You've got to give UWS respect," Wiles said. "Don has done a nice job over there, and that No. 33 (Linzmeier) is a Division II starter. She's that good."

Both teams emptied their benches by the end of the game, with 12 players scoring for UMD and nine for UWS. It was a good early season glimpse of who is ready to play.

With all the drama gone, the crowd got a late kick out of watching UMD student Kinsie Stifter swish a half-court shot as part of the Bulldogs' half-court heave contest. Stifter won a Verizon Windows Phone.

"It was a big adjustment for me last year playing center after playing small forward in high school, but I've come a long way," said the 6-foot Meyer said. "I'm happy with where I'm at. Hannah is a great player, and I've had injuries, I've been there. I don't wish that on anybody."

MINNESOTA DULUTH 89, WISCONSIN-SUPERIOR 43

Wisconsin-Superior -- Deandra Vavra 3-11 0-0 7, Hadley Skalmoski 0-1 0-1 0, Britnee Blake 1-5, 0-0 2, Sally Linzmeier 4-12, 2-3 10, Vanessa Lebens 2-4 5-6 9, Brynn Liljander 0-1 0-0 0, Grace Kennedy 3-4 0-0 6, Amber Zimpel 0-0 0-2 0, Autumn Ackerman 0-0 2-2 2, Dana Karlstad 1-3 1-2 3, Jayme Malnory 1-1 0-0 2, Allie Nelson 0-1 2-2 2, Sarah Lekson 0-2 0-0 0, Molly Atherton 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 15-46 12-18 43.

Minnesota Duluth -- Danielle Flood 2-4 2-2 8, Alyssa Kerkhoff 4-7 0-2 8, Katrina Newman 3-8 0-0 7, Taylor Dillinger 0-4 1-2 1, Hannah Rutten 4-6 5-6 13, Allyson Harris 0-1 3-4 3, Jenna Orr 2-4 0-0 4, Megan Lueck 2-6, 2-2 7, Jessica Newman 3-4 0-0 8, Kanzie Kane 2-4 2-3 8, Shauni Payeur 1-1 0-0 3, Taylor Meyer 9-10 1-2 19, Tessa Doolittle 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 32-60 16-23 89.

Halftime -- UMD 44-28. 3-point goals -- UWS 1-13 (Vavra 1-4, Blake 0-2, Linzmeier 0-3, Liljander 0-1, Karlstad 0-1, Nelson 0-1, Lekson 0-1), UMD 9-21 (Flood 2-3, Kerkhoff 0-2, K. Newman 1-2, Dillinger 0-2, Lueck 1-5, J. Newman 2-3, Kane 2-3, Payeur 1-1). Fouled out -- None. Rebounds -- UWS 19 (Vavra, Linzmeier 3), UMD 37 (Rutten 7). Assists -- UWS 5 (Vavra), UMD 19 (Flood 6). Total Fouls -- UWS 15, UMD 19. A -- 753.

College men's basketball

Minnesota Duluth 73, Wisconsin-Superior 58

Peter Crawford and Kristofer Jackson had 14 points apiece to lead the Bulldogs, with Jackson also having 11 rebounds. Jackson, who tied a UMD record with six blocks earlier this year, added two blocks Tuesday.

Junior Coleman (13 points), Reece Zoelle (11) and Jordan Reetz (10) also were in double figures in scoring for UMD (2-1), which held a comfortable lead for most of the night but never could put away the Yellowjackets (0-1).

UMD shot 51.0 percent from the field compared to 28.6 for UWS, including 1 for 13 from 3-point range.

Bronson Byrne, a 7-footer, had 14 points and five rebounds to lead the Yellowjackets.

MINNESOTA DULUTH 73, WISCONSIN-SUPERIOR 58

Wisconsin-Superior -- Tilyn Hollis 5-9 1-2 12, Aaron Corry 2-10 1-2 5, Jarrod Peterson 0-11 5-6 5, Brian Lindblom 2-7 1-2 5, Bronson Byrne 4-11 6-8 14, Harrison Woods 1-1 0-0 2, Johnathan Scott 0-1 0-0 0, Caleb Burch 0-1 0-0 6, John Denny 1-1 4-4 6, Zach Schradle 0-3 5-8 5, Dan Lochner 1-1 2-2 4. Totals 16-56 25-34 58.

Minnesota Duluth -- Peter Crawford 4-5 5-6 14, Reece Zoelle 5-6 0-0 11, Junior Coleman 4-9 4-6 13, Kristofer Jackson 5-8 3-5 14, Jake Harder 0-1 0-1 5, Justin Byrd 1-1 1-5 3, Jack Connors 0-4 0-0 0, Jordan Reetz 3-11 4-6 10, Jonah Eisenschenk 1-3 2-2 4, Lane Olson 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 25-49 19-31 73.

Halftime -- UMD 34-25. 3-point goals -- UWS 1-13 (Hollis 1-4, Corry 0-1, Peterson 0-3, Lindblom 0-2, Scott 0-1, Schradle 0-2). UMD 4-14 (Crawford 1-1, Zoelle 1-1, Coleman 1-4, Jackson 1-2, Connors 0-1, Reetz 0-3, Eisenschenk 0-2. Fouled out -- Lindblom, Harder. Rebounds -- UWS 35 (Corry 7), UMD 34 (Jackson 11). Assists -- UWS 6 (Peterson 2), UMD 10 (Crawford 4). Total Fouls -- UWS 24, UMD 27. A -- 753.