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Mankato, Minn. --- Minnesota Duluth hit on 65.6 percent of its second-half shots turning a 35-32 halftime disadvantage into an 85-78 victory over Minnesota State Friday evening in front of 1,141 fans in the Taylor Center.
The loss came despite four Mavericks reaching double-figures in the scoring column, including a 19-point 11-rebound effort by freshman forward #Zach Romashko#. The double-double marked the first of Romashko’s career.
“I am proud of the way our guys competed tonight,” said head coach Matt Margenthaler. “The bottom line is we just didn’t get the little things done down the stretch.”
The Mavericks shot 53.3 percent in the opening 20 minutes, as it took a 35-32 lead into break. All five MSU starters recorded more than three field goals in the first half as freshman guard #Miles Chamberlain# and sophomore guard #Jimmy Whitehead# led the team with eight points.
Both teams traded baskets to start the second half as Minnesota Duluth opened a 47-43 edge with 14:30 remaining, prompting the Mavericks to call a timeout.
The Bulldogs continued their pressure following the time out, opening a lead as large as ten with 11:24 remaining at 58-48. UMD hit 14 of its first 19 shots to start the second half.
The Mavericks answered with a 12-4 run to cut the deficit to 62-60 following a putback by sophomore forward #Connor O’Brien#.
The Bulldogs answered with a trio of three’s and a pair of free throws to push the lead to 11 at 73-62 with 6:28 remaining.
Minnesota State roared back cutting the deficit to three after a three-point field goal by senior guard #Stephen Kirschbaum#, capping a 10-2 run.
After that, the Bulldogs pushed it back to a two-possession game and never looked back.
Romshko finished the night hitting on 8-of-13 shots, including nailing his only three point attempt. Six of his 11 rebounds were on the offensive glass and he also added a pair of assists in 32 minutes of work.
Whitehead added 18 points and seven assists while O’Brien scored 16 points and gathered nine rebounds. Kirschbaum rounded out the Mavericks in double-digits with 15 points.
UMD won the battle of the glass, 34-32, despite being outrebounded 14-9 on the offensive boards. Nearly half of the points for the Bulldogs came in the paint.
Minnesota State finished the night shooting 46.3 percent from the floor, while UMD hit on 55 percent of its chances.
The Mavericks (7-17, 6-14 NSIC) return to action tomorrow evening against Bemidji State. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.
