BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Bemidji State University Women's Basketball team used a strong second half to pull away from MSU Moorhead to claim their second straight Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference victory 65-54 Saturday inside the BSU Gym.
With the game tied at 27 at halftime, Bemidji State (5-15, 2-14 NSIC) executed over the final couple of minutes of the third quarter to create some separation. Ashlynne Guenther and Amme Sheforgen each converted tough layups to push BSU to the 43-39 lead.
MSU Moorhead (8-13, 8-8 NSIC)) kept the deficit around six midway through the fourth quarter when the Beavers began to pull away. Sam Pogatchnik tallied a layup and then an Alayna Suprenand three-pointer had the lead out to 11 at 59-48.
After the Dragons answered, Bemidji State reeled off the next six points with Erin Barrette, and Sheforgen each connecting on layups before a couple of free throws by Sheforgen had the lead out to 65-49.
With just a few minutes left, the Dragons got back to within 11 to provide the final score of 65-54.
The Beavers exploded out of the gate, scoring the first eight points. Pogatchnik scored 17 seconds in. Alyssa Hill connected on a three-pointer before Isabel Majewski added a triple for the 8-0 lead just over a minute and a half into the contest.
After MSU Moorhead answered with an 11-2 run to take the 11-10 lead, Pogatchnik helped ignite an 8-2 run to close the quarter. Pogatchnik hit a three-pointer and after Suprenand hit a three-pointer, Pogatchnik hit two from the line leaving BSU with the 18-13 lead.
The second quarter was tight throughout, featuring three ties. Bemidji State had the lead out to five at 24-19 on a layup by Hill. MSU Moorhead closed the half on an 8-3 run to leave the teams tied at 27 at halftime.
Sheforgen led the Beavers with 15 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. She went 5-9 from the field and 2-3 from three. Pogatchnik added 14 points on 5-8 shooting and hit 2-3 from three. Hill and Guenther added nine points apiece.
Bemidji State went 24-53 (45.3) from the field, 9-21 (42.9) from three and 8-15 (53.3) at the foul line. MSU Moorhead went 20-57 (35.1) from the field, 3-17 (17.6) from three and 11-15 (73.3) at the foul line. Bemidji State held the 18-14 edge in points off turnovers, 19-11 in bench points and 8-6 in fastbreak points.
With results from around the NSIC today, Bemidji State is now three games back of Sioux Falls, Minot State and Augustana for an NSIC Tournament spot. All three teams are tied for 10th, with the top 12 teams advancing to the NSIC Tournament.
Head coach Chelsea Stoltenberg is now just one win away from moving to fourth on the program wins list, currently at 70.
Bemidji State will now prepare to host Northern State this coming Tuesday beginning at 5:30 p.m. inside the BSU Gym. Northern State lost to St. Cloud State, 75-55, on Saturday and have lost three straight games. Northern State is currently fifth in the NSIC standings at 11-5.
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).
