BEMIDJI, Minn. – Bemidji State University Women's Basketball (6-20) fell to the University of Minnesota Duluth (10-17) with a final score of 71-54 on Saturday during senior night.
 
Bemidji State started the first quarter with a three-pointer by Tieryn Plasch at 8:42, assisted by Erin Barrette. Rachel Koenig contributed with two successful free throws at 7:14, keeping the score close early on. Alayna Suprenand added a three-pointer at 4:19, followed by a jumper at 3:32, narrowing the gap. Despite these efforts, the quarter ended with Bemidji State trailing 24-14 against UMD, who capitalized with points in the paint and consistent shooting.
 
Bemidji State opened the second quarter with Alayna Suprenand contributing a tip-in and a free throw within the first minute, narrowing the score to 24-17. Despite a defensive rebound and a block by Ella Giorgi at 7:55, Bemidji State faced a scoring challenge, trailing after a series of missed opportunities. Erin Barrette assisted Aubrey Heyer for a layup at 6:56, and later added another assist to Giorgi at 5:05, helping the team close the gap to 29-23. Despite these efforts, Bemidji State ended the quarter trailing 41-25, with the team scoring 11 points compared to the Bulldogs' 17 in the second quarter.
 
The third quarter featured Bemidji State's strong defensive performance, with Ella Giorgi contributing a block at the 34-second mark, followed by a defensive rebound. Bemidji State outscored Minnesota Duluth 15-13 during the quarter, highlighted by Tieryn Plasch's consecutive successful free throws at 47 seconds, narrowing the deficit. Notably, Plasch also made a fast-break layup early in the quarter at 8:58, assisted by her defensive steal moments earlier.
 
At the start of the 4th quarter, Bemidji State's Janette Hanni contributed with a defensive rebound at 9:13, followed by Erin Barrette's turnover shortly after. This game marked a milestone for Hanni, as she achieved her 1,000th career point, with 123 of those coming from her time at Bemidji State. Tieryn Plasch was effective from the free-throw line, hitting both attempts at 8:33 to bring the score to 42. Midway through the quarter, Alayna Suprenand made significant contributions, converting a pair of free throws at 5:45 and a jumper at 4:21, narrowing the gap to 52. Despite these efforts, BSU ultimately scored 14 points in the quarter, falling to Minnesota Duluth, who tallied 17 points in the same timeframe.
 
Alayna Suprenand led the Beavers in scoring with 14 points, marking a career high. She shot 5-for-7 from the field and hit one 3-pointer, while also making all three free throw attempts. Tieryn Plasch contributed 13 points, adding two steals to her performance, and was active on the boards with six rebounds. Ella Giorgi was effective defensively, recording two blocks and one steal, while also contributing eight points.
 
Bemidji State finished the season at 6-20 overall with a conference record of 4-18.  
 
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).