Bemidji State returns to the court hosting Minot State and Minnesota Crookston to begin NSIC action

BSU enters the week 2-1 overall

Having last played on Nov. 18, the Bemidji State University Women’s Basketball team returns to action this weekend to open Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play inside the BSU Gym. The Beavers will open with Minot State on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and then face Minnesota Crookston on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

So far, Bemidji State (2-1) has played at home every game this season. BSU opened the season with a 71-52 win over St. Scholastica and after falling to Mayville State (63-52), won last time out by a score of 71-50 against Minnesota Crookston on Nov. 18.

The Beavers are averaging 64.7 points and allowing 55 points. BSU is making 72-190 (37.9) from the field, 20-68 (29.4) from three and 30-46 (65.2) from the foul line. Opponents are making 59-176 (33.5) from the field, 9-54 (16.7) from three and 38-58 (65.5) at the foul line.

Alyssa Hill leads the team averaging 13 points and three rebounds. She is making over 51 percent from the field (16-31). Sam Pogatchnik is averaging 8.7 points and 5.7 rebounds, along with eight assists and four blocks. Sydney White is tallying 6.7 per game and five rebounds. Rachel Koenig is at 6.3 points and four rebounds. Amme Sheforgen (5.7), Alayna Suprenand (5.3) and Jana Swanson (5.0) all average at least five points per game.

Bemidji State leads the NSIC and ranks second in the nation in three-point field goal defense (16.7). BSU also ranks high nationally in blocks per game (6.0), which is ninth in the nation, field goal percentage on defense (33.5), which is good for 17th nationally, defensive rebounds per game (30), which is 24th nationally, and scoring defense in points per game allowed (55), also 24th nationally.

Individually, Suprenand ranks second in the NSIC in assists per game (4.7). Sheforgen is fourth in the NSIC in both offensive rebounds per game (2.7) and steals per game (2.67). Pogatchnik is fifth in the conference in defensive rebounds per game (5.3).

Minot State is 1-7 overall and 0-1 in NSIC play this season. The Beavers from North Dakota picked up a 72-63 win over Florida Tech. They opened NSIC play falling at Minnesota Crookston by a score of 67-54 on Nov. 21. They also played at North Dakota this past Tuesday falling by a score of 82-53.

MSU is averaging 57.8 points and allowing 72 points. Minot State is making 163-481 (33.9) from the field, 56-210 (26.7) from three and 80-133 (60.2) at the foul line. Opponents are making 219-481 (45.5) from the field, 55-160 (34.4) from three and 83-114 (72.8) at the foul line.

Sydney Gustavsson leads the team averaging 13 points, 3.5 rebounds and 14 steals. Emma Mogen tallies 6.9 points and Jaime Skeggs is at 6.8 points per game.

Bemidji State and Minot State have split their 22 meetings since 2012 at 11 apiece, while Bemidji State has won the last seven meetings. Last year, BSU swept the two meetings and have won the last four meetings in Bemidji. The last road win for Minot State was during the 2019-20 season. BSU will see Minot State again on the road on Feb. 1.

To close the weekend, Minnesota Crookston will come to town on Saturday. The Golden Eagles are 4-3 overall and 1-0 in NSIC play. After losing the first three games to start the season, UMC has wins against North Central (MN), Crown College, Minot State and Barry. The Golden Eagles spent the Thanksgiving week playing in Florida falling to Lynn (72-57) but closed the trip defeating host Barry (73-67).

UMC is averaging 74.6 points and allowing 65.7. The Golden Eagles have made 187-433 (43.2) from the field, 48-130 (36.9) from three and 100-133 (75.2) at the foul line. Opponents have made 176-505 (34.9) from the field, 40-163 (24.5) from three and 68-107 (63.6) at the foul line.

Emma Miller leads the team averaging 20.1 points, while adding nine rebounds and 32 assists while making just over 44 percent (52-118) from the field. Janie Tormanen is averaging 12.9 points and 6.1 rebounds, while making over 52 percent (38-72). Olivia Walsh chips in 9.7 points and 6.6 rebounds and leads the team with 14 steals.

Bemidji State is 28-24 against Minnesota Crookston in the series since 1996 and have lost the last two matchups that were the meetings last season. That snapped a six-game winning streak in the series for Bemidji State, as the Beavers swept the season series in 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22. BSU is 13-12 at home in the series, having gone 3-2 over the last five meetings in Bemidji. BSU will see Minnesota Crookston again on the road on Feb. 8.