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Strong fourth quarter efforts from sophomore center Sydney Arrington and freshman guard Maria Appicelli helped Bemidji State University women’s basketball overcome a 13-point deficit to win their first game of the season against Mayville State University, 63-62, at BSU Gymnasium. Arrington scored nine points in the fourth quarter while Appicelli scored her first eight points as a Beaver (1-1) in the fourth quarter to aid in a run to overtake the Comets (4-2).
It took nearly 34 minutes for the Beavers to find their stride, and by the time they did, the Comets had taken a 48-36 lead. Appicelli scored her first basket of the night after missing her first four attempts from the field throughout the game. The 3-pointer, which were her first career points as a Beaver, sparked a 10-0 run that helped bring BSU to within two points, 48-46, with just over five minutes in the game.
Another freshman guard, Sydney Zerr, also scored her first career points at BSU on a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter, to offset a Mayville State 3-pointer that halted BSU’s comeback run. Freshman guard Brooklyn Bachmann gave BSU its first lead since the first quarter on a layup, her 19th point of the night. Leading up to that point, sophomore center Sydney Arrington scored nine of her 15 points on the night in the fourth quarter, setting up Bachmann’s go-ahead score. Following a 3-pointer that gave the lead back to the Comets, Appicelli made her second and final shot of the night, another conversion from long range, to put the Beavers up, 59-58.
Bachmann sank two free throws with just over 30 seconds left in the game to put BSU up three points, while the game was tied second later on a MSU 3-pointer. Appicelli was fouled as BSU was trying to run down the clock, where she continued to put both free throw attempts into the hoop for a 63-61 lead. Mayville State forward Andi Gayner was fouled with 00:00.6 seconds on the clock for an opportunity to tie the game, but missed the second of the two free throws to seal the Beavers’ victory.
After giving away 20 turnovers through the first three quarters, Bemidji State gave away just one in the fourth quarter and sank 50 percent of its field goals in the closing period. The Beavers’ bench helped bring the team to life in the fourth quarter, while the unit totaled 27 points throughout the game, led by Arrington with 15.
Bachmann led all players with 21 points and five assists, while committing just one of BSU’s 21 turnovers. Arrington followed Bachmann with 15 points and added five rebounds. Senior center Sierra Senske led all Beavers with nine rebounds and added eight points.
Both teams shot less than 35 percent from the field during the game and less than 30 percent from beyond the arc. Bemidji State won the rebound margin, 51-40, pulling in 15 on the offensive side.
Bemidji State travels to Denver, Colo., to take part in the Metro State Thanksgiving Classic, Nov. 24-25. The Beavers open the tournament Friday, Nov. 24 against Metro State University and finished Saturday, Nov. 25 against Colorado Christian University.