UMD Rallies from Double-Digit Deficit for Thrilling 77-67 Win

BREAKING: In a stunning comeback, Minnesota Duluth (UMD) overcame a double-digit deficit to secure a dramatic 77-67 victory over Bemidji State in their Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference opener on November 28, 2023, at Romano Gym. This pivotal win marks UMD’s resilience after a challenging start, where they struggled early on, shooting just 2-for-10 from the field.

The Beavers took control quickly, establishing a 12-6 lead that ballooned to 23-13 following back-to-back three-pointers from Dominic Fairbanks, prompting a critical timeout from UMD. The Bulldogs found themselves trailing 26-13 before launching a fierce 13-1 scoring run led by Caleb Siwek and Kole Hanson, narrowing the gap to just 27-26 with five minutes remaining in the first half.

By halftime, UMD transformed the game, entering the break with a 35-32 lead thanks to Owen Leach’s key free throws. Hanson emerged as a standout in the first half, contributing 10 points on 4-of-9 shooting, despite the team’s overall struggle, finishing the half shooting 28.9% from the field.

The second half saw intense back-and-forth action, with both teams exchanging leads multiple times. UMD finally took a decisive lead at 46-45 with a layup from Mattie Thompson. After a temporary tie at 48, the Bulldogs unleashed a 10-0 run, highlighted by a pivotal three-pointer from Thompson, extending their advantage to 58-48.

Despite the Beavers’ efforts to close the gap to 66-60 with five minutes left, UMD responded with an 11-4 run, solidifying their grip on the game. Siwek led all scorers with an impressive 23 points on 8-for-15 shooting, while Hanson and Thompson added 15 and 14 points, respectively. UMD dominated the boards, out-rebounding BSU 45-32, with Thompson and Nick Katona each collecting a team-high of 8 rebounds.

Looking ahead, UMD (5-1) is set to face Northern Michigan in a nonconference road matchup in Marquette, Michigan, on Saturday, November 29. This thrilling victory not only boosts UMD’s confidence but also sets the stage for an exciting continuation of the season.

Stay tuned for more updates on UMD’s journey as they aim for continued success in the conference!