MINNESOTA DULUTH AT MINNESOTA STATE-MANKATO

By Jon Nowacki

January 03, 2007 at 11:00 PM

Today's games

At a glance

What: North Central Conference men's and women's season openers

When: women at 6 p.m.; men at 8 p.m.

Where: Taylor Center, Mankato, Minn.

Radio: 610 AM

Women's matchup

UMD (9-4, 0-0)

Coach: Dave Stromme, first season

Probable starters

Pos./Player Yr. Ht. Ppg.

G-Alissa Pauly Jr. 5-8 5.5

G-J. Axtell Sr. 5-10 10.8

F-K. Freeman Jr. 5-11 9.8

F-Kim Wagers Jr. 6-1 3.7

C-K. Winkel. Sr. 6-1 15.2

Mankato (11-2, 0-0)

Coach: Lori Fish, third season

Probable starters

Pos./Player Yr. Ht. Ppg.

G-Tiffany Moe Fr. 5-9 3.9

G-Alanna Wahl Sr. 5-9 5.9

G-Flecia Foster So. 5-8 9.0

G-A. Andrews So. 5-11 12.0

C-T. Parker So. 6-1 6.5

Outlook: UMD is coming off a 60-47 loss Friday at No. 12 Northern State Friday before rebounding for a 70-53 win Saturday over Southwest Minnesota State as Barnum native Justine Axtell scored a career-high 21 points and fellow senior co-captain Katie Winkelman added 15. Concordia-St. Paul handed Mankato its first loss since Nov. 22 by downing the Mavericks 71-59 on Saturday despite 21 points from sophomore Alex Andrews. UMD owns a 25-17 lead in the series, including a sweep last year. The second win wasn't without cost, however, as UMD All-American Lindsey Dietz went down in the second half with what essentially was a career-ending knee injury. The Bulldogs never recovered, and this year's team is looking to forge its own identity with newcomers such as Katy Freeman blending with veterans such as Axtell and Winkelman.

Men's matchup

UMD (9-6, 0-0)

Coach: Gary Holquist, ninth season

Probable starters

Pos./Player Yr. Ht. Ppg.

G-R. Breiden. Sr. 6-1 4.4

G-J. Nuness Jr. 6-3 16.2

F-Bryan Foss Sr. 6-7 17.7

F-J. Vaudreuil Jr. 6-8 13.0

C-Matt Rawley Sr. 6-8 7.7

Mankato (14-1, 0-0)

Coach: Matt Margenthaler, sixth season

Probable starters

Pos./Player Yr. Ht. Ppg.

G-Paris Kyles Sr. 6-2 11.1

G-T. Thomason Sr. 6-2 12.4

G-Jake Morrow So. 6-4 11.7

F-L. Anderson Sr. 6-6 18.1

C-Atila Santos Jr. 6-10 9.5

Outlook: UMD beat Concordia-St. Paul 72-55 on Friday as Bryan Foss scored 27 points before the Bulldogs fell 69-56 at Southwest Minnesota State. The Mavericks, meanwhile, beat Concordia-Moorhead 82-54 on Friday and Carleton 72-69 on Saturday. The defending NCC champions have won 12 straight games and hold a 30-27 all-time lead in the series, including five straight since UMD joined the league in 2004-05. Mankato is ranked sixth in the nation and is deep, with five players averaging at least 9.5 points. The game provides an interesting contrast in styles, with a big, physical UMD team hoping to keep the score down and get into a halfcourt game while Mankato likes the push the ball.

By Jon Nowacki

Jon Nowacki joined the News Tribune in August 1998 as a sports reporter. He grew up in Stephen, Minnesota, in the northwest corner of the state, where he was actively involved in school and sports and was a proud member of the Tigers’ 1992 state championship nine-man football team.

After graduating in 1993, Nowacki majored in print journalism at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, serving as editor of the college paper, “The Aquin,” and graduating with honors in December 1997. He worked with the Associated Press during the “tobacco trial” of 1998, leading to the industry’s historic $206 billion settlement, before moving to Duluth.

Nowacki started as a prep reporter for the News Tribune before moving onto the college ranks, with an emphasis on Minnesota Duluth football, including coverage of the Bulldogs’ NCAA Division II championships in 2008 and 2010.

Nowacki continues to focus on college sports while filling in as a backup on preps, especially at tournament time. He covers the Duluth Huskies baseball team and auto racing in the summer. When time allows, he also writes an offbeat and lighthearted food column entitled “The Taco Stand,” a reference to the “Taco Jon” nickname given to him by his older brother when he was a teenager that stuck with him through college. He has a teenage daughter, Emma.

Nowacki can be reached at jnowacki@duluthnews.com or (218) 380-7027. Follow him on Twitter @TacoJon1.

MINNESOTA DULUTH AT MINNESOTA STATE-MANKATO

Today's games At a glance What: North Central Conference men's and women's season openers When: women at 6 p.m.; men at 8 p.m. Where: Taylor Center, Mankato, Minn. Radio: 610 AM Women's matchup UMD (9-4, 0-0) Coach: Dave Stromme, first season Pro...