SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Ella Giorgi sent back a new program record eight blocks to keep the game close for the Bemidji State University Women's Basketball team at Sioux Falls. In the low scoring battle, the Cougars were able to claim the 48-34 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference victory on Saturday night. As a team, Bemidji State had 12 blocks to set a new single game program record for blocks as a team.
Giorgi's new single game program high breaks the old record that was set by three players all with six. Giorgi's eight blocks is also the most in the NSIC this season and ranks in a tie for fifth-most in a game in all of NCAA Division II this season. The team record of 12 breaks the old record of 11.
It was a defensive struggle all game for both teams with a combined 25 points in the third quarter being the highest of the night. In addition to the 12 blocks, Bemidji State (3-9, 0-8 NSIC) also forced 12 turnovers. The Beavers held Sioux Falls (6-7, 4-5 NSIC) to just 17-56 (30.4) from the field, 1-13 (7.7) from three and 13-19 (68.4) at the foul line.
Tieryn Plasch opened the scoring just over a minute in hitting a jumper. That would be the only points for the Beavers for over six minutes. During that time, Sioux Falls went on a 9-0 run for the 9-2 lead. Alayna Suprenand scored the final five points of the opening quarter for BSU hitting a triple and then a jumper to lead the Cougars with the 11-7 lead.
Sioux Falls scored the first seven points of the second quarter to open the 18-7 lead. A Sam Pogatchnik three-point-play and a layup by Alyssa Hill were the only five points scored in the quarter for the Beavers with Sioux Falls taking the 27-12 lead into halftime.
Midway through the third quarter, BSU found a little momentum with Giorgi hitting a layup before Pogatchnik and Suprenand each hit a three-pointer to trim the deficit back to 12. The Cougars tallied the final two points of the quarter to take the 39-25 lead into the final frame.
A Pogatchnik free throw 37 seconds into the fourth quarter pulled Bemidji State back to within 13, but that would be as close as they could get the rest of the way. The teams each scored nine points over the final 10 minutes to provide the final margin of 48-34.
Pogatchnik led the Beavers with 12 points on 3-7 shooting and 5-7 at the foul line. She also grabbed five rebounds and added two steals. Suprenand collected eight points and five rebounds, along with two steals. Giorgi added six points and four rebounds to go along with her eight blocks. Bemidji State went 13-49 (26.5) from the field, 3-20 (15) from three and 5-7 (71.4) at the foul line. The Beavers held the 16-8 edge in bench points and a slight 4-2 advantage on fastbreak points.
Bemidji State will now return home to open a four-game homestand beginning with Minnesota State this coming Friday starting at 7:30 p.m. inside the BSU Gym.
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).
