Bulldogs Done In By St. Cloud NSIC Opener

Dec 1, 2012

Northland Sports Online

Three players scored in double figures to lead St. Cloud State University to an 80-60 win over the University of Minnesota Duluth Saturday afternoon in St. Cloud, Minn. The Huskies shot the lights out, making good on over half of their field goal attempts (53 percent) on their way to taking the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference opener at Halenbeck Hall.

UMD found itself keeping pace with St. Cloud State in the first half before letting things get out of hand later on. The Bulldogs knocked down 11-of-28 shots from the floor, while the Huskies made 12 of their 28 attempts to build a seven-point lead (36-29) at halftime. St. Cloud State ramped up its offensive game over the final 20 minutes, shooting an outrageous 64 percent from the floor and canning 5-of-8 3-pointers to put the game out of reach in the latter moments of regulation.

Junior forward Katrina Newman led UMD (3-2 overall and 0-1 in the NSIC) with 21 points, but the Bulldogs could get little scoring elsewhere. Aside from the former NSIC Freshman of the Year — who also collected seven rebounds and six steals on the afternoon — everyone on the UMD roster struggled to make baskets. Junior center Hannah Rutten and sophomore point guard Alyssa Kerkhoff each posted seven points as no other individual reached double figures in the point department. Rutten matched Newman for the team lead with seven boards of her own.

The Bulldogs return home to Romano Gymnasium next weekend for their first home action against NSIC competition. UMD will play host to the University of Minnesota, Crookston and Bemidji State University on Friday (Dec. 7) and Saturday (Dec. 8).

Comments can be sent to sports@northlandsportsonline.com