Photo Credit: Michigan Tech

DULUTH, Minn. — The No. 1-ranked Michigan Tech women’s basketball team knocked down 11 3-pointers and 22-of-25 free throws to defeat Minnesota Duluth 85-68 today in both teams’ season opener. Katie Zimmerman drained five 3-pointers and paced the Huskies in scoring with 19 points.

UMD got off to a hot start by scoring the game’s first five points. Thanks to the 3-point shot, the Huskies didn’t stay behind for long. Four of Tech’s first five makes were from long range to tie the game at 14. An 8-of-13 performance from 3-point range staked the Black and Gold to a 45-37 advantage at the half.

Minnesota Duluth’s Jheri Booker was dominant in the first half, accounting for 21 of her team’s 37 points in the frame.

Tech methodically built up its lead in the second half to as many as 22 and knocked down 13-of-15 free throws down the stretch to get the win.

“I’m really happy to get out of here with a win,” said seventh-year head coach John Barnes. “I thought our defense was up and down, but we got some nice games offensively from Zimmerman and (Tara) Ferris.”

Zimmerman’s 19 points was four shy of her career high of 23. Sarah Stream (14 points), Ferris (13) and Katie Wysocky (13) also reached double figures for Michigan Tech. Wysocky added a game-high 14 rebounds to push her career total to 861—six short of Tech’s all-time record.

Booker finished with 30 points, six rebounds and four blocks for UMD. She was the only Bulldog in double figures.

Tech shot 46 percent from the field, 48 from 3-point range and 88 from the foul line. UMD posted shooting percentages of 39, 31 and 60, respectively. The Huskies also utilized a 45-34 rebounding edge to move to 1-0 on the year.

Michigan Tech will return to action Friday (Nov. 20) at the Drury Invitational in Springfield, Mo. The Huskies will face Missouri Western at 5 p.m. (ET).