SIOUX FALLS, S.D. --- #11 Minnesota State fell to #9 Minnesota Duluth 80-74 in a thrilling NSIC Tournament championship game Tuesday evening.
With the loss, MSU drops to 25-4 on the season. With the win, UMD improves to 27-3. The Mavericks will learn their NCAA Tournament fate during the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday, at 9:30 p.m. The selection show will be streamed on NCAA.com.
The Mavericks had a slow start as the Bulldogs built a 22-6 lead only seven minutes into the game. UMD would maintain its double-digit lead throughout the rest of the first quarter as it led 28-14 after the first 10 minutes.
In the second quarter, the Mavericks managed to get back within eight points of the Bulldogs multiple times, but UMD was able to take a 10-point lead at 42-32 into halftime.
Sophomore Destinee Bursch led MSU in the first half with seven points, while sophomore Emily Russo and junior Joey Batt added four each. As a team, MSU shot 41.9% from the field in the first half.
Brooke Olson led all scorers in the first half with 13 points. As a team, the Bulldogs shot 58.1% from the field in the opening half.
In the first six minutes of the third quarter, Minnesota State went on a 10-4 run to close the Bulldog lead by four points, but the Bulldogs were able to finish the quarter with an eight-point lead at 59-51.
The Mavericks continued to fight their way back in the fourth quarter as they opened the quarter on a 12-4 run to knot up the score at 63-63. A three pointer from junior Emily Herzberg tied the game with 4:40 to go. UMD was able to weather the storm however as it outscored the Mavericks 17-11 in the final 4:40 of the game to claim the 80-74 win.
Bursch led the Mavericks with 25 points, while Batt finished with 12 points. Junior Taylor Theusch finished with nine points also, while Herzberg added eight.
As a team, MSU shot 40.3% from the field, added 32 rebounds and passed out eight assists. The Mavericks also scored 14 points off 21 UMD turnovers.
UMD was led by Olson who scored a career-high of 36 points. Ella Gilbertson notched 13 points also.
As a team, the Bulldogs shot 55.1% from the field, added 35 rebounds and had 13 assists.
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