BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Bemidji State University Women's Basketball team used a 24-point fourth quarter to pull away from Valley City State on Tuesday night for the 67-57 win inside the BSU Gym.
Bemidji State (3-7) received a big game from Amme Sheforgen, as the guard had 16 points, nine rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals in 36 minutes. She went 4-9 from the field and 8-10 at the foul line. Sam Pogatchnik tallied 13 points and five rebounds, while Alyssa Hill added 12 points and three blocks.
Valley City State (6-7) broke open what was a 4-3 lead for the Beavers and used an 8-0 run to take the 11-4 lead. A three-point-play by Sydney White, a pair of free throws by Ashlynne Guenther, a layup by Ella Giorgi and then another layup by White closed a 9-0 run to help BSU come back to tie it at 15. Adriana Torres closed the scoring in the first quarter hitting a layup for the Vikings to give them the 17-15 lead entering the second quarter.
Bemidji State started to gain separation early in the second quarter. After VCSU scored the first points 12 seconds in, the Beavers reeled off the next 12 points. Hill collected eight points during the run that left the Beavers with the 27-19 lead. The Vikings went eight minutes between baskets when Torres stopped the run at 1:52 with a jumper. The Vikings made a strong run over the final few minutes to get as close as four before Pogatchnik hit a free throw to provide the halftime score of 30-25.
It was a battle in the third quarter with the Beavers getting ahead by five on a three-pointer by Pogatchnik two minutes in and then remaining ahead by five at the 6:28 mark on a layup by Pogatchnik. The Vikings came back to take a two-point lead before a jumper by Sheforgen closed the quarter to send the team into the final 10 minutes tied at 43.
Valley City State kept the pressure early in the quarter holding a three-point lead almost three minutes in. A pair of White free throws helped start a 7-0 run to push the Beavers out to a four-point lead midway through the quarter. Alayna Suprenand and Sheforgen hit free throws before Erin Barrette closed the run with a layup.
The Vikings made one last push getting to within two with 4:19 to play when the Beavers closed the game on a 11-3 run. Sheforgen continued her big night with a layup to push the lead to four. Sheforgen then sunk a jumper before Pogatchnik hit a three-pointer with just two minutes to play to extend the lead to 63-54. Sheforgen and Pogtchnik converted foul shots down the stretch to seal the win for the Beavers.
Bemidji State went 21-55 (38.2) from the field, 2-11 (18.2) from three and 23-30 (76.7) at the foul line. Valley City State went 20-56 (35.7) from the field, 6-20 (30) from three and 11-13 (84.6) at the foul line. BSU held the edge in points off turnovers (12-2), second chance points (8-2) and points in the paint (36-20). The Beavers forced 20 turnovers and committed just eight.
Bemidji State will now be off until 2024 when they will open the new year on Jan. 5 at Southwest Minnesota State starting at 7:30 p.m.
For more information on the Bemidji State Women's basketball program, follow the Beavers on X (@BSUBeaversWBB), like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers) and follow them on Instagram (@BSUBeaversWBB).
Located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men's hockey membership in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and women's hockey membership in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).
