The Bemidji State University women’s basketball program continues its five-game road trip with battles Friday, Jan. 12 against University of Sioux Falls and Saturday, Jan. 13 against Southwest Minnesota State University. The Beavers open the weekend at 6 p.m. at the Cougars before a 5 p.m. tip-off Saturday at the Mustangs.

In the series opening game between Bemidji State and Sioux Falls Jan. 5, 1986, BSU came away with an 81-79 win that currently stands as the Beavers’ only win in the series. USF has taken the last five matchups since both teams started playing annually in 2013. USF won last season’s lone meeting, 55-47, in Bemidji, Minn.

Senior center Sierra Senske led BSU with 13 points and was the only Beaver in double-digit scoring. She shot 5-of-10 from the field while senior forward and sophomore center Sydney Arrington each led the team with six rebounds. Sophomore guard Erica Gartner scored seven points off the bench on 3-of-5 shooting from the field.

The interdivisional series between Bemidji State and Southwest Minnesota State began in 1978 and has spanned 74 games. The Beavers have won three of the last five meetings and five of the last eight overall. BSU handed SMSU an 82-66 loss last season at home Jan. 14, 2017. The Beavers averaged 20.5 points per quarter in the win against the Mustangs.

Senske again led BSU in scoring with 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting while she also grabbed six rebounds. Junior forward Emma Rappe followed Senske with 13 points off the bench on 4-of-5 shooting from the field and 5-of-5 from the free throw line.