DULUTH, Minn. – Bemidji State University Women's Basketball fell to the University of Minnesota Duluth 74-60 on Friday at Romano Gymnasium.
 
Bemidji State opened the first quarter with a strong inside game, scoring 14 points in the paint and securing a 17-13 lead by the end of the quarter. Rachel Koenig set the tone early with consecutive layups, contributing to the team's offensive momentum. Ella Giorgi played a key role off the bench, scoring six points, including a pair of free throws at the end of the quarter that helped Bemidji State take the lead.
 
Bemidji State began the second quarter with a turnover by Tieryn Plasch, which was quickly capitalized on by Minnesota Duluth's Claire Bjorge for a score. Erin Barrette responded with a pair of free throws at the 8:00 mark to maintain a narrow lead before Claire Bjorge's three-pointer shifted momentum. Janette Hanni and Ashlynne Guenther helped Bemidji St. regain control with a strong stretch, including a crucial three-pointer by Guenther, extending the lead to 28-23. Despite a late scoring run by Minnesota Duluth, Ella Giorgi's layup tied the game at 36-36 as the quarter concluded.
 
In the third quarter, Bemidji St. and Minnesota Duluth remained competitive, with the score tied multiple times. Sydney White tied the game at 38 with a layup early in the quarter, while Rachel Koenig kept the momentum with another layup to bring the score to 40-40. Tieryn Plasch hit a crucial 3-pointer at 6:30 to narrow the score to 44-43, and Ella Giorgi's layup gave Bemidji St. a brief lead at 45-44. Erin Barrette contributed a key layup to regain the lead at 47-46, but UMD managed a late surge to close the quarter with a 52-47 advantage.
 
In the fourth quarter, Bemidji State's Ella Giorgi contributed with consistent scoring, including a layup at 8:30 and a successful free throw following a foul by Johanna Miller. Aubrey Heyer added to the effort with an offensive rebound and tip-in at 6:45, narrowing the gap to four points. Despite this, the Bulldogs' Grace Counts and Maria Counts extended their lead with key plays, including a three-pointer by Grace Counts at 4:15. Alayna Suprenand managed a late fast-break three-pointer at the end, assisted by Sage Ganyo, but Bemidji State was unable to overcome the scoring run by Minnesota Duluth, ending the quarter with a 22-13 deficit.
 
Ella Giorgi stood out for the Bemidji State basketball team, leading the offense with 18 points in the game, making 7 of 12 baskets, and contributing defensively with 2 blocks and 2 steals. Rachel Koenig also played a significant role, scoring 10 points and making 5 of her 10 shots. Tieryn Plasch was effective on the boards, collecting 9 rebounds to go along with her 5 points and adding a block. Ashlynne Guenther added 7 points, including a perfect shooting from beyond the arc, and Sydney White contributed 6 points and 2 assists in the game.
 
Bemidji State holds an overall record of four wins and eleven losses, with a conference record of two and nine in the NSIC. UMD has an overall record of six wins and ten losses, with a conference record of four and seven in the NSIC.
 
Bemidji State will look to rebound from their recent loss when they face Concordia University, St. Paul. The game is scheduled for January 18, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in St. Paul, Minn.
 
For more information on the Bemidji State women's basketball program, tickets or schedules, visit BSUBeavers.com, follow the Beavers on X (@BSUBeaversWBB), like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers) and like 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 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).