DULUTH — Minnesota Duluth turned around a rough start, outscoring Southwest Minnesota State 24-5 in the last seven minutes of the first half en route to a 65-49 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference win on Friday at Romano Gym.
Already trailing by five after a quarter, UMD fell behind 21-11 on Sadie Stelter's jumper with 7:43 left in the second half. However, UMD controlled the play from there, including eight consecutive points by Maesyn Thiesen to take the lead less than four minutes later. The Bulldogs continued their run and took a 35-26 edge into the locker room for halftime.
The Bulldogs offense remained in gear for the rest of the night, leading by as many as 22 points before settling on the final margin.
UMD's defense held the Mustangs under 40 percent field-goal shooting in all four quarters and forced 11 turnovers. No SMSU player scored more than 10 points.
For the Bulldogs (15-4, 13-2 NSIC), Brooke Olson finished a rebound short of a double-double with 18 points and nine boards. Thiesen made three triples in a 13-point game.
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UMD hosts Sioux Falls on Saturday.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Bulldogs thump Mustangs
Drew Blair made seven 3-pointers and Austin Andrews logged a double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds as Minnesota Duluth marked its return to Romano Gym on Friday with a 91-62 drubbing of Southwest Minnesota State in NSIC men's basketball.
UMD stamped its will on the contest early, scoring the first 13 points and keeping the Mustangs off the board for the first 5:36. SMSU closed to within six, but the Bulldogs finished the half on a 15-2 run for a 21-point halftime lead, 45-24. The second half was largely academic, with UMD up by 20 or more points most of the way.
Blair was 7-of-8 from outside the 3-point arc, while Andrews did his damage inside, going 9-for-15 from the field. Jack Middleton added 12 points for UMD (18-2, 11-2 NSIC).
The Bulldogs host Sioux Falls on Saturday.
