Tech Holds off UMD Comeback

George Bailey – NSO

The University of Minnesota Duluth has quickly become familiar with tightly contested games in the young 2016 season.

Facing a 68-65 deficit with just 26 seconds to play, the Bulldogs were unable to connect on a game-tying three-pointer as time expired, falling just short of Michigan Tech University by a score of 68-65.

Guards Kyle Schalow and Logan Rohrscheib led the way in the scoring department, netting 16 points a piece. The two combined to hit seven of 12 from the three point line, while Rohrscheib added seven rebounds as well. A pair of forwards also notched double digit points for UMD – freshman Luke Harris (11) and sophomore Sean Burns (10).

It was a tale of two halves from beyond the arc with the Bulldogs shooting a lights-out 7-13 from three point range in the opening half, but the Huskies responded by connecting on 6-12 from deep in the second half to hold off UMD. The Bulldogs were able to limit their turnovers to just eight on the day while forcing 11 from Michigan Tech.

UMD held the lead for the first 11 minutes of regulation until a Bryan Heath three-pointer vaulted the Huskies to a one point lead. Heath knocked down three consecutive from long-range in a two minute span, resulting in a 29-29 tie heading into halftime.

Michigan Tech jumped out to a quick eight point lead in the second half, capitalizing on a 12-4 run in the first four minutes. With just 6:18 remaining, the Huskies captured their largest lead of the game at 62-52. UMD quickly tacked on a couple baskets and a three from Rohrscheib cut the deficit to 62-60 with just under four minutes to play. The Bulldogs fought to within one point on two occasions in the final two minutes, but were ultimately unable to grab a lead down the stretch.

UMD will return to the court on Friday (Dec. 2) to open up its Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference season against Bemidji State University. The action will start at 8 p.m. in Romano Gymnasium.

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