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FARGO, N.D.--The University of Minnesota-Duluth went on a 17-2 run midway in the second half and Lindsey Dietz scored a season and game-high 34 points to lead the Bulldogs to a 70-62 win in a non-conference women's basketball game played Friday, Dec. 16, before a crowd of 1,242 at the Bison Sports Arena.
The No. 22-ranked Division II Bulldogs snapped North Dakota State's 16-game homecourt winning streak. Minnesota-Duluth (11-1) extended it's win streak to 11 games. The last NDSU loss at home came during the 2003-04 season when North Dakota beat the Bison 80-71 in the NCC/Wells Fargo Finals. It was UMD's first win in Fargo since 1977-78 and third win over NDSU in the last four meetings.
Dietz showed why she is considered one of the top players in NCAA Division II, hitting 12-of-16 from the field and 10-of-13 from the free throw line for 34 points. She completed the "double-double" with a game-high 11 rebounds.
North Dakota State, which trailed 29-28 at halftime, fell behind by as many as eight. The Bison pulled to within 43-42 with a pair of free throws by Katie Lorenz with 10:50 left to play. Lorenz led the Bison with 24 points, five assists and four steals.
However, NDSU's last field goal for nearly five minutes came with 8:43 left on a Lisa Bue layup on a pass from Lorenz. The Bulldogs scored 13 unanswered points on a variety of shots by Justine Axtell, Kim Wagers, Megan O'Hern and Dietz. A Dietz layup put Minnesota-Duluth ahead 60-44 with 5:10 left to play.
Ali Sonstelie hit her first of three 3-pointers with 3:47 left to play to end the NDSU drought. Kayla Dahlen and Sonstelie did connect on several long rangers and the Bison did rally to within 66-62 left on a Lorenz bucket with 18-seconds remaining.
Minnesota-Duluth's Katie Winkelman, Axtell and Dietz sank 8-of-10 free throws down the stretch to keep the lead. Winkelman finished with 12 points, while Axtell added nine points and 10 rebounds.
The Bulldogs, who trailed by 11 points in midway in the first half, held a commanding 43-27 advantage on boards to overcome 21 turnovers. North Dakota State shot 36.9 percent from the field compared to 50 percent for UMD. Bue added 10 points for the NDSU |