Bulldogs Fall to St. Cloud State

NSO- NEWS RELEASE

The University of Minnesota Duluth men’s basketball team left it all out on the floor in a losing effort today in St. Cloud, Minn. The Huskies would go on to defeat the Bulldogs 91-86. UMD finishes the season 6-7 overall and (5-7) in the NSIC.

The majority of the first half of play was back and forth between the Bulldogs and the Huskies, with both teams going on short runs and grabbing a small lead, then relinquishing it to their opponents within the next few positions. It wasn’t until about four minutes left in the first half, when the Huskies went on a late half run to give themselves a seven point lead at the break. The Bulldogs shot 15-31 (48.6%) from the field in the first half, and 4-12 (33.3) from beyond the long line. The Huskies would shoot 16-29 (55.2%) from the field and 9-17 (52.9%) from beyond the arc.

In the second half St. Cloud State continued their hot shooting early in the half. The Huskies grew their lead to 15 points multiple times in the second half , but the Bulldogs weren’t done just yet. With the Bulldogs pressing the Huskies while inbounding and preventing the Huskies from advancing the ball up the floor UMD was able to cause chaos resulting in multiple turnovers that would eventually lead to baskets. UMD was able to use this momentum to chip the St. Cloud State lead down to just four points late in the second half, but could never climb all the way back before succumbing to defeat. Overall UMD shot 33-68 (48.5%) from the field and 11-32 (34.4%) from beyond the arc.

Again all of the UMD starting five got in on the scoring fun with all five starters scoring double digits. Redshirt sophomore guard Drew Blair and his counterpart sophomore guard Jack Middleton both finished with 20 points on the evening. Blair also added six assists, and three rebounds, Middleton added four assists and three rebounds. Freshman forward Austin Andrews tallied 19 points on the afternoon, four rebounds and one assist. Freshman forward Charlie Katona tallied 14 points, five rebounds and two steals. Freshman forward Joshua Brown finished with 11 points, a team high six rebounds and one steal.

Today’s loss puts slots UMD in the six spot in the NSIC North division, effectively eliminating UMD from post-season tournament contention resulting in the end of the 2020-21 campaign.

Looking forward, this Bulldogs team has lots to be proud of as they stuck with this season as it dealt them game cancelations, pauses from practice and growing pains. With a young core of now veteran sophomores and budding freshman the future of UMD men’s basketball is bright.