Minnesota Duluth didn't blink when faced with an offensive duel on Saturday, outgunning East Central 92-84 to complete a 2-0 weekend in the American Family Insurance Classic at Romano Gym.
Both teams made more than 60 percent of their field-goal attempts in the first half, which ended with the Bulldogs up 46-43. UMD cooled off a little less in the second half to earn the victory, making 11 3-pointers along the way. Despite the hot shooting on both sides, UMD only trailed for two possessions in the first 2 1/2 minutes of the game. The Ada, Oklahoma-based Tigers tied the game briefly coming out of the break, but a 14-4 run allowed UMD to expand a five-point lead to 15 over the middle of the second half, and eight was the closest the visitors got from there.
Drew Blair drilled five triples and went 10-for-14 from the field for 29 points. Jack Middleton added four treys in a 22-point night, while Austin Andrews posted a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds, plus pitched in a team-best five assists.
Four players scored in double-figures for the 0-2 Tigers led by Romello Wilbert's 20 points.
The Bulldogs (2-0) host Northland College for a nonconference game on Tuesday night.
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COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL
Bulldogs defeated in season finale
No. 15 Wayne State proved too hot to handle on Saturday, hitting .315 in a 3-0 (26-24, 25-17, 25-17) Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference sweep of Minnesota Duluth in the last game of the regular season for both teams.
Wayne State's diverse offense featured five different players with at least seven kills led by 12 from Taya Beller. Rachel Walker posted 38 assists for WSC (21-7, 14-6 NSIC), which will enter the NSIC tournament next weekend in Sioux Falls, South Dakota as the 4 seed.
Cianna Selbitschka led UMD with 14 kills, while Madison Gordon had three aces and 25 assists, both team highs. Defensively, Sydney Lanoue set the standard with 12 digs.
UMD ends the season 18-11, 10-10 in the NSIC.
