March Madness: UMD wins OT nailbiter in NCAA regional quarterfinal

The UMD women’s basketball team’s official roster photo. Photo courtesy of UMD Athletics

The University of Minnesota Duluth women’s basketball team is still dancing after a nail-biter 76-70 win over Emporia State in the first round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Division II Championship.

The Bulldogs, part of the NCAA’s Central Region, are playing on the University of Central Missouri campus in Warrensburg, Missouri. 

After the first half, UMD led the box score in plenty of categories, but hardly held the lead in points. The score was 34-31.

Though both teams had 31 possessions, eight Duluth turnovers — including five steals by Emporia St. — led to seven points by the opposition. Despite Emporia St. allowing fewer turnovers, seven team fouls gave UMD plenty of extra opportunities to level the field.

Junior forward Brooke Olson led the game at the half with nearly one-third of UMD’s points. 

Though the lead teetered back and forth between teams in the first half, the third quarter saw UMD leading for the most part.

Disorganized play, a lack of communication and an and-one foul gave Emporia St. a boost in momentum, which led to a tie game with five minutes left in the third quarter.

A foul-riddled third quarter sent Emporia St. to an early bonus period, resulting in multiple opportunities to convert from the free throw line.

More foul trouble in the fourth quarter brought Duluth to what appeared to be the end of the road, until Ann Simonet drained a shot from deep to tie the game with less than four seconds remaining in regulation.

Overtime play opened up with a contested jump ball, but UMD struck first with a drawn foul resulting in a successful Olson free throw, giving UMD a one-point lead.

Turnovers and missed shots by Emporia St. allowed senior forward Payton Kahl to drain bonus free throws and Olson to sink a layup, giving Duluth a six point lead.

Despite a last minute UMD foul, the Bulldogs would hang on to win the game 76-70.

Olson led the game with 31 points and 14 rebounds, while Kahl followed with 14 points and two rebounds. Ehlania Hartman and Tre’Zure Jobe teamed up to lead Emporia St. with a combined 38 points, while Fredricka Sheats led her team with 10 rebounds.

This marked UMD’s first ever win over Emporia St. in women’s basketball, according to University of Central Missouri broadcasters.

Friday night’s win marks UMD’s first win in the NCAA Championship bracket since 2005.

The No. 3 Bulldogs will continue their dance, as they faceoff against No. 2 Nebraska - Kearney Saturday night at 7:45 p.m.