BREAKING: Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs delivered a commanding performance, overwhelming UMary with an 80-65 victory on Saturday at Romano Gym. Center Noah Paulson led the charge with a game-high 20 points, showcasing the Bulldogs’ dominance in the paint, where they outscored the Marauders 46-16.
The Bulldogs wasted no time establishing control, launching the game with a swift 11-2 run, hitting five of their first six shots. By halftime, UMD maintained a solid lead at 44-32, having shot an impressive 60% (18-of-30) from the field and 42.9% (3-of-7) from three-point range. Paulson was instrumental in this run, scoring 12 points in the first half alone on 6-of-7 shooting.
Joined by teammate Daniel Molhoek, who added 8 first-half points, the Bulldogs dominated the paint early, achieving a staggering 28-8 advantage in points in the paint by halftime. In stark contrast, UMary struggled, shooting just 33.3% (11-of-33) from the field.
The second half saw UMD continue their relentless pace, as Paulson and Jackson Fowlkes propelled the Bulldogs on a 7-1 run, pushing their lead to 51-33. The Bulldogs expanded their lead to a comfortable 67-48 midway through the half. Although the Marauders attempted to rally with a late 7-1 run to cut the deficit to 11 points with just over three minutes left, they fell short of a comeback.
Fowlkes also joined the double-digit scoring club, contributing 18 points on 6-of-11 shooting, while Caleb Siwek added 10 points. Rebounding leader Nick Katona secured 8 rebounds along with 7 points.
With this victory, Minnesota Duluth improves to 9-4 overall and 5-2 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. The Bulldogs now look ahead to their next challenge as they prepare to face Bemidji State on Saturday, January 3.
This emphatic win not only boosts UMD’s standings but also showcases their potential as a formidable competitor in the conference. Fans and analysts will be closely watching how this momentum carries into their upcoming games.
