Newman, Rutten Push UMD Past Bemidji State

Dec 8, 2012

Northland Sports Online

Prior to this weekend, University of Minnesota Duluth head coach Annette Wiles had never lost to Bemidji State University in her career patrolling the bench. The Bulldogs made sure to keep it that way, pushing past the Beavers 65-50 behind a huge effort from Katrina Newman and Hannah Rutten Saturday evening at Romano Gymnasium.

The junior post players combined to score 40 of UMD’s 65 points, leading the Bulldogs to the weekend sweep at home. One of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference preseason players of the year, Newman finished with 21 points on 9-of-21 shooting, adding four rebounds and three steals. Rutten collected 19 points and six rebounds while making seven of her nine free throw attempts.

UMD (5-2 overall and 2-1 in the NSID) forced 13 Bemidji State turnovers in the first half, holding the Beavers to 19 points on 33 percent shooting. Bemidji State (5-2; 1-2) saw its shooting improve in the second frame, but the deficit was too great to overcome. The Bulldogs also picked up their collective offensive game, shooting 47 percent from the floor over the final 20 minutes of play. UMD connected on four of its eight 3-point tries and held the Beavers without a 3-pointer on eight attempts from long range.

Next weekend marks the end of the season’s first half, and UMD will wrap up the 2012 portion of its schedule with a grueling road trip. The Bulldogs take on Minnesota State University-Moorhead next Friday before wrapping up on Saturday at Northern State University.

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