BREAKING NEWS: Minnesota Duluth (UMD) has just secured a thrilling 77-67 victory over Bemidji State (BSU) in their Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference opener, staging an impressive comeback after trailing by double digits. The game unfolded at Romano Gym and was marked by a fierce display of resilience from the Bulldogs.
The contest started poorly for UMD, who opened the game with a dismal 2-for-10 shooting performance, allowing the Beavers to jump to a quick 12-6 lead. A pair of back-to-back three-pointers from Dominic Fairbanks extended BSU’s advantage to 23-13, prompting a crucial timeout from UMD.
Trailing 26-13, the Bulldogs ignited their offense with a stunning 13-1 scoring run led by standout players Caleb Siwek and Kole Hanson, narrowing the gap to just one point at 27-26 with five minutes remaining in the first half. UMD managed to take control with a halftime lead of 35-32, thanks to a series of free throws from Owen Leach.
In the second half, the intensity heightened as both teams exchanged leads four times. A layup from Mattie Thompson put UMD ahead 46-45, and shortly after, the Bulldogs launched a decisive 10-0 run, capped by a Thompson three-pointer that established a 58-48 lead.
Despite BSU’s efforts to claw back, cutting the deficit to 66-60 with just five minutes left, UMD responded with an explosive 11-4 run to seal their victory. Siwek emerged as the game’s top performer, scoring 23 points on 8-for-15 shooting, while Hanson and Thompson added 15 and 14 points, respectively.
In addition to their offensive prowess, UMD dominated the boards, out-rebounding BSU 45-32, with both Thompson and Nick Katona grabbing a team-high eight rebounds.
Next up, UMD (5-1) will face a nonconference challenge against Northern Michigan in Marquette, Michigan, on Saturday, November 29, 2023. Fans are eagerly anticipating how the Bulldogs will build on this momentum after their hard-fought victory.
Stay tuned for more updates as UMD continues its season!
