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The Bemidji State University women’s basketball team took control of the final 10 minutes of each half to pull away and begin a winning streak Saturday afternoon during a 60-52 win against Upper Iowa University. Senior guard Mikayla Larson and freshman guard Brooklyn Bachmann combined for 42 of the Beavers’ (4-6, 3-3 Northern Sun Intercollegiate) 60 points while limiting the Peacocks (2-11, 0-7 NSIC) to just two field goals in the fourth quarter.

A 3-point attack by the Peacocks helped the visitors take the first substantial lead of the game after shooting 4-of-8 from beyond in the arc in the opening quarter. Upper Iowa’s four 3-pointer helped the team take a game-high 12-point lead, 20-8 with 4:27 remaining in the first quarter. Bachmann opened her night with a 3-pointer to match UIU’s and begin her first half spark to give BSU a lead before halftime.

The Beavers went on a 9-1 run to open the second quarter, after both teams failed to score during the first three minutes. Bachmann scored six of the nine points to tie the game, 24-24. The Peacocks followed with a quick 5-0 run, but baskets by Bachmann, senior guard Mikayla Larson and sophomore center Sydney Arrington helped BSU to an 8-1 run to end the half and take a 31-30 lead. Larson chipped in nine points and five rebounds, which led the team during the opening half.

Upper Iowa began the third quarter on an 11-0 run, converting 5-of-6 field goals in the process of taking a 41-31 lead. The Beavers chipped away at the quick deficit behind seven third-quarter points from Bachmann. Senske put in two free throws before the end of the quarter to bring BSU’s deficit down to three, 45-42.

Bemidji State’s defense held Upper Iowa scoreless through the majority of the final quarter to lead to the comeback. The Peacocks went on a scoreless drought of 8:45, missing eight field goal attempts and giving away five turnovers during the stretch. The Beavers took advantage to go on a 14-0 run to take the final lead of the game. Bachmann’s final field goal of the game, a 3-pointer from the top of the key, tied the game at 47-47 before Larson stole a pass near the BSU basket to draw free throw shots. She sank both shots to take the lead while scoring nine points in the final quarter.

Bachmann led all scorers with 24 points while Larson followed close behind with 18. Larson led the Beavers with nine rebounds, which tied a career-high. Larson also finished the game shooting 9-of-9 from the free throw line in her career night.

Bemidji State shot 35.6 percent from the field compared to 34.6 percent for Upper Iowa. After the Peacocks converted four 3-pointers in the opening quarter, the Beavers held them to 3-of-16 shooting from downtown the rest of the way.

Bemidji State begins its final game of the 2017 calendar year Sunday at 1:30 p.m. against Winona State University. The Beavers and Warriors meet at BSU Gymnasium for their only matchup of the 2017-18 regular season.