DULUTH, Minn. (Romano Gymnasium) - After a lackluster shooting performance in the first half for Bemidji State, the Beavers made a late push only to fall short in a 70-56 loss to Minnesota Duluth. The Bulldogs withstood BSU’s 31-point second half outburst with 35 points of their own for a conference victory.

Two Beavers posted double digits including 15 by Sydney Epema (Fr., G, Crookston, Minn.) and 12 by guard Samantha Baldwin (Fr., St. Thomas, N.D.). Taylor Davis (Fr., F, Crookston, Minn.) paced the Beavers on the boards with seven rebounds while Baldwin dished out five assists. It was Epema’s fifth consecutive game in double-digit scoring for the Beavers.

UMD’s Jheri Booker led the way for the Bulldogs with a game-high 16 points and two others contributed double digits. The difference for the Bulldogs came on turnovers as BSU committed eight more than UMD (23-15) allowing UMD to convert 23 points off turnovers.

In the first half, BSU shot just 8-for-29 (.276) and took a 10-point deficit into the break down 35-25. Kelsey Hewitt scored 10 points in the first half including six during a 19-6 run over a 6:59 span of the opening frame allowing UMD to open its lead to nine points (19-10) before the 10 minute mark.

UMD eventually pushed its lead to as large as 15 in the half but BSU outscored the Bulldogs, 15-10 in the final 9:17 to close the lead to 10 heading into intermission. BSU’s Kristina Salscheider (Sr., G, Cass Lake, Minn.) led the Beavers during the run scoring six of her eight points during the final 10 minutes of the first frame. Salscheider’s eight points is a season-high.

After building their lead to 18 with nine minutes remaining, the Bulldogs sat back and BSU jumped at the opportunity with a 17-4 run that got them back within five at the 2:28 mark. The run was built on hot three-point shooting from Epema and reserve guard Megan Bates (Fr., F, Brainerd, Minn.).

With BSU forced to press in the final minutes, UMD took advantage connecting on a couple fast break layups and a three from Lindsay Miller to seal the 14-point victory for the Bulldogs snapping a two game losing slide to the Beavers.

UMD’s Booker made a big difference in the game with her post play leading the Bulldogs to a 32-20 advantage in the paint, and a 15-6 edge in second chance points.

Epema’s effort for BSU helped them get back in the game with three of her five three-pointers coming in the last seven minutes.

The Beavers fall to 2-16 overall and 0-11 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. BSU is currently on a 14 game losing slide, longest in school history and are 0-11 to start the conference season for just the third time in school history.

Next up for BSU in Minnesota State University and Southwest Minnesota State. The Beavers will host the Mavericks on Friday, Jan. 30 and then will welcome the Mustangs to the BSU Gymnasium on Saturday, Jan. 31. Both games are set for 6 p.m. starts.

Bemidji State University, located in Bemidji, Minn., is an NCAA Division II institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).

--beavers--