Nov. 10--UMD women defeat Bethel to complete 3-0 exhibition season

2 great women's programs and 2 great coaches went at it up in Duluth today. It's never a surprise when a D2 team beats a D3 team at home in an early-season exhibition, but this was a little more interesting than most. Yes, UMD knocked off Bethel 86-68, but Bethel and coach John Herbrechtsmeyer had a 38-37 lead at halftime, and UMD led just 46-44 halfway through the 3rd period. But the Bulldogs took charge from there to win going away.

It was UMD's 3rd straight exhibition win and what makes that newsworthy is that in the 1st win it was the Bulldogs who were playing up and on the road. They surprised the NDSU Bison in Fargo 70-65 in that game. Now, in 3 exhibitions, sophomore post Sarah Grow (Centennial) is scoring 14 ppg with 7 boards and 3 blocks, and senior point guard Sammy Kozlowski is scoring 11 ppg with 5 assists. Freshmen Brooke Olson and Maesyn Theisen are playing great off the bench. Olson, a 6-2 forward from Rice Lake, WI, is leading the Bulldogs in scoring at 14+ ppg with 6 rebounds, while Theisen, the point guard from Sauk Centre, scored 0, then 2, then 10 points with 7 assists in the 2 more recent ball games.

UMD has won 20 games just once in the past dozen years with an average record of 14-14. Not what the Bulldogs had been accustomed to for many, many years. They're improving under coach Mandy Pearson and they're the pick to win the NSIC northern division in the coach's poll. This could be a breakout year for coach Pearson and the 'Dogs.

Meanwhile, Bethel has been super-competitive in the MIAC in recent years without, of course, breaking through against coach Ruth Sinn and her St. Thomas juggernaut. Right now, though, coach Herbie is looking for some additional firepower to support returning starters Taite Anderson, a junior wing from White Bear Lake, and Hannah Johnson, a senior post from Duluth East. Anderson and Johnson combined for 46 points and 19 boards against UMD. Point guard Haylee Barker, a junior from Maple Grove, added 8 points, 5 boards and 6 assists. Nobody else scored more than 2.

Player of the Day--Taite Anderson, Bethel
Team of the Day--Minnesota-Duluth
Coach of the Day--we'll call this one a tie between John Herbrechtsmeyer, Bethel, and Mandy Pearson, UMD