BOX SCORE

DULUTH, Minn. - No. 3 Minnesota Duluth defeated No. 8 Southwest Minnesota State in straight sets in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action on Saturday. The loss moves the Mustangs to 18-6 overall, 13-3 in the NSIC, while the Bulldogs improve to 24-2 overall, 14-2 in the NSIC.

The loss snaps SMSU's three-match winning streak over UMD dating back to the 2011 season.

SMSU was unable to slow down the high octane offense of UMD as the Bulldogs finished the match with a. 345 hitting percentage. SMSU's offense could not keep up as the Mustangs were held to a .115 hitting efficiency.

Monica Turner led the way for the Bulldogs as she collected a match-high 14 kills on 25 attacks (.560%), while NCAA-leading attacker AKate Lange finished with 11 kills on 31 attacks.

For SMSU it was Abbey Thissen who led the way with 10 kills on 20 attacks. SMSU managed just one block in the match while UMD mustered up 11 -- three solo, 16 block assists.

SMSU will return to the PE Gym this Friday and Saturday to take on Minot State and U-Mary.