BEMIDJI, Minn. – Minnesota State used an early 12-0 run to hold off the Bemidji State University Women's Basketball team on Friday night by a score of 79-51 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play inside the BSU Gym.
Minnesota State (11-4, 8-1 NSIC) opened the game on a 12-0 run over the first five minutes of the game and held off a push by the Beavers (3-10, 0-9 NSIC) in the second quarter to claim the victory.
Sam Pogatchnik paced Bemidji State with 18 points, eight rebounds and four assists. She went 8-14 from the field. Alyssa Hill added eight points and five rebounds, with Ella Giorgi tallied six points and four rebounds.
After the Mavericks' hot start, Giorgi snapped the run with a triple. Pogatchnik closed the quarter with a pair of baskets, but it was all Minnesota State over the first 10 minutes opening the 22-7 advantage.
Alayna Suprenand, Pogatchnik and Hill combined for a quick 7-0 run over a minute span in the second quarter to help the Beavers pull to within eight. A Pogatchnik three with 3:54 to go before the break had Bemidji State to within seven at 30-23. After Minnesota State stretched the lead back to 13, Hill and Ashlynne Guenther closed the half with three points leaving MSU with the 36-26 lead at the break.
The Mavericks had the lead out to 18 in the third quarter, but the Beavers got back to within 11 when Pogatchnik converted a fastbreak layup with 3:53 left to play in the quarter. Minnesota State went on a 7-0 run to close the third to take a 60-42 lead.
Minnesota State put the game out of reach opening the fourth quarter on a 9-0 run over the first four minutes. Giorgi, Isabel Majewski, Guenther and Tieryn Plasch all had points for the Beavers in the fourth quarter before Minnesota State claimed the 79-51 victory.
Bemidji State went 19-60 (31.7) from the field, 7-36 (19.4) from three and 6-8 (75) at the foul line. Minnesota State went 28-63 (44.4) from the field, 1-16 (6.3) from three and 22-28 (78.6) at the foul line. BSU held the edge in bench points (25-24).The Beavers will continue the homestand tomorrow (Saturday) facing Winona State starting at 5:30 p.m. inside the BSU Gym. The Warriors lost at Minnesota Crookston 77-69 on Friday.
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).
