Box Score Duluth, Minn. – The Dragons snapped a losing streak in Romano Gymnasium that dated back to 2003 in their victory over the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs 85-73 on Friday night. The Dragons' win moves them up to 16-5, 12-5 in the NSIC, while the Bulldogs drop to 12-9, 9-8 in the conference.
Alex Novak tallied his sixth double-double on the season (13 points, 10 rebounds), as four other Dragons scored in double-digits:
Charlie Chapman matched a career high 23 points, Andrew Van Havermaet with 15,
DJ Hamilton with 11, and
Jake Lindfors with 10.
The Dragons jumped out to a 10-2 lead to start the competition, paced by one of Andrew Van Havermaet's four three-pointers for the run. Later in transition, Van Havermaet nailed a three pointer for a 19-10 lead. Van Havermaet hit his fourth three pointer on a fast break, as D. J. Hamilton found him for a 28-13 lead.
Van Havermaet also showed his unselfish play as he passed up an open three to find
Alex Novak alone under the basket for a one-handed slam and a 36-21 lead. By the end of the first half, the Dragons had two players scoring in double-figures: Van Havermaet with 13, and Novak with 12.
Charlie Chapman opened up the Dragons' biggest lead of the first half at 42-25, dribbling behind his back to left from the three-point line and sinking a fade-away jump shot. Chapman continued to have the hot hand, as he dribbled behind his back to create space in transition, and hit the open three to lead 48-30.
During the second half, the Bulldogs went on two small runs that the Dragons were able to immediately erase. Out of a Bulldog time out, UMD went on a six-point run to cut the Dragon lead; however, the Dragons were able to recoup these points with back to back threes from Van Havermaet and Chapman in ensuing possessions. Two minutes later, UMD went on another 6-0 run, until
Jordan Riewer hit back to back threes and a
Jake Lindfors layup gave the Dragons 70-48 lead.
With just under 10 minutes remaining, the Dragons were able to establish a 25-point lead off a
DJ Hamilton layup, but the Bulldogs were able to put together a six-minute stretch where they cut the Dragon lead to 14 points. However, the Dragons slowed down their offense in the final three minutes to ensure the win.
MSUM finished the game 29-for-63, 46%, from the field, 13-for-28, 46.4%, from three, and 14-for-18, 77.8%, from the free throw line.
UMD shot 25-for-58, 43.1%, from the field, 5-for-13, 38.5%, from three, and 18-for-22, 81.8%, from the free throw line. The Bulldogs were led in scoring by Brett Ervin with 16 followed by Ryan Rasmussen with 12.
The Dragons travel tomorrow night to the Glas Fieldhouse at Bemidji State University for a 6:00 pm tip off.
Steve d'Eustachio's Stat of the Game:
Charlie Chapman celebrated his 24th birthday and played his 47th career game as a Dragon in Duluth tonight. Tonight marked the 46th time Chapman has scored a bucket in a game. The only time Chapman didn't was versus Minnesota Duluth earlier this season in the Dragon's 85-67 victory on December 3.
Dragons Preview Game Notes
