UMD Stages Stunning Comeback, Defeats Beavers 77-67 in Opener

BREAKING: In a thrilling comeback, Minnesota Duluth (UMD) stunned Bemidji State with a 77-67 victory in their Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference opener on November 28, 2023, at Romano Gym. After a rocky start, the Bulldogs clawed back from a daunting double-digit deficit to secure the win.

The game began with UMD struggling offensively, hitting only 2 of their first 10 shots. This allowed Bemidji State to establish an early 12-6 lead, which ballooned to 23-13 thanks to consecutive three-pointers from Dominic Fairbanks. A timeout called by UMD was crucial as they regrouped and fought back.

Trailing 26-13, the Bulldogs initiated a remarkable 13-1 scoring run, led by standout players Caleb Siwek and Kole Hanson. They quickly narrowed the gap to 27-26 with just five minutes remaining in the first half. UMD took the lead into halftime with a score of 35-32, bolstered by Owen Leach’s four crucial free throws.

As the second half unfolded, the teams exchanged leads four times. UMD regained momentum with a decisive 10-0 run, highlighted by a Mattie Thompson three-pointer, pushing their lead to 58-48. Despite Bemidji State’s efforts to close the gap to 66-60 with five minutes left, UMD responded with an emphatic 11-4 run to seal the victory.

Siwek led all scorers with 23 points, shooting 8-for-15 from the field. Hanson contributed 15 points, while Thompson added 14 points to the Bulldogs’ offensive onslaught. UMD dominated on the boards, out-rebounding the Beavers 45-32, with both Thompson and Nick Katona grabbing a team-high eight rebounds.

This victory improves UMD’s record to 5-1 as they prepare for a nonconference road matchup against Northern Michigan in Marquette, Michigan, on Saturday, December 2.

Stay tuned for updates as the Bulldogs continue their season, showcasing resilience and determination on the court!