BSU Women’s Basketball set to travel to MSU Moorhead and Northern State this week

Beavers set for first road games of the season

Having played their first five games of the season at home, the Bemidji State University Women’s Basketball team will now hit the road for the first time this year playing at MSU Moorhead on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and at Northern State on Saturday beginning at 6 p.m. in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play.

Bemidji State (2-3, 0-2 NSIC) is coming off a tough 73-70 loss at the buzzer against Minnesota Crookston last time out. The Beavers erased a 12-point halftime deficit and held a fourth quarter lead before the Golden Eagles were able to convert a late three-point-play for the win.

BSU enters the week averaging 64 points and allowing 61.2 points. Bemidji State has made 119-302 (39.4) from the field, 29-100 (29) from three and 53-88 (60.2) at the foul line. Opponents are making 115-296 (38.9) from the field, 18-81 (22.2) from three and 58-90 (64.4) at the foul line.

Alyssa Hill turned in another big week that included a career-high 29 points against Minot State. Hill leads the team averaging 16.2 points per game, making 55 percent from the field (33-60) and has also connected on a pair of three-pointers. Hill also averages five rebounds. Sydney White is also coming off a career-high weekend scoring 20 points against Minnesota Crookston. White is second on the team averaging eight points per game and averages four rebounds per contest. Alayna Suprenand tallied 23 points over the two games this weekend and is now third on the team averaging 7.8 points per game. Suprenand leads the team with eight three-pointers and has a team-best 19 assists. Sam Pogatchnik averages 6.2 points and is tied for the team lead with 5.2 rebounds per contest. She leads the team with five blocks and adds 14 assists. Amme Sheforgen is tied with Pogatchnik for the team lead in rebounds at 5.2 per game. She adds 5.6 points per game and leads the team with nine steals.

Bemidji State leads the NSIC in three-point percentage on defense (22.2) which ranks 13 nationally. BSU is second in the conference in assists per game (14.4) and third in turnovers forced per game (17.40) and defensive rebounds per game (28.4).

Individually, Hill leads the NSIC and is 17th nationally in free throw percentage (92.9). Hill also ranks fourth in the NSIC in field goal percentage (55). Suprenand is fourth in the conference in assists per game (3.8). Sheforgen ranks fifth in the conference in offensive rebounds per game (2.4).

First up will be MSU Moorhead on Friday. The Dragons are 0-7 overall and 0-2 in NSIC play. Last time out, MSU Moorhead lost to Northern State (60-44) and then nearly rallied against Mary before falling short (68-63). Earlier this season, the Dragons came close to upsetting No. 10 at the time Central Missouri falling in overtime (63-57).

MSU Moorhead is averaging 58.6 points and allowing 70.6 points. The Dragons make 154-441 (34.9) from the field, 38-123 (30.9) from three and 64-91 (70.3) at the foul line. Opponents make 187-441 (42.4) from the field, 55-154 (35.7) from three and 65-88 (73.9) at the foul line.

Natalie Jens leads the Dragons averaging 14 points and four rebounds. She also leads the team with 32 assists and 13 steals. Terryn Johnson averages 10.7 points and a team-high 7.1 rebounds per game. Maya Metcalf (7.3) and Ashley Fritz (7.1) each average over seven points per game.

MSU Moorhead holds the 72-43 series advantage since 1968 and have won the last three meetings. The last meeting in February in Bemidji went right down to the wire with the Dragons surviving in overtime. MSU Moorhead has won the last 10 meetings in Moorhead, with the Beavers last winning on the road during the 2011-12 season (75-68). MSU Moorhead is 31-10 at home during the series. These teams will see each other again on Feb. 3 back in Moorhead.

To close the weekend, Bemidji State will play at Northern State on Saturday. The Wolves are 6-2 overall and 2-0 in NSIC play. Northern State defeated MSU Moorhead last time out by a score of 60-44. Their first NSIC game was on Nov. 21 defeating UMary (77-64).

Northern State averages 63.6 points and allows 59.1 points per game. The Wolves make 189-450 (42) from the field, 46-148 (31.1) from three and 95-118 (72) at the foul line. Opponents make 174-488 (35.7) from the field, 45-157 (28.7) from three and 80-114 (70.2) at the foul line.

Madelyn Bragg is off to a strong start averaging 20 points and 7.3 rebounds per game while shooting over 61 percent. She has also sent back 15 blocks. Rianna Fillipi is second on the team averaging 10.9 points and adds 5.3 rebounds. She leads the team with 36 assists. Alayna Benike is right behind with 9.9 points and 4.8 rebounds.

Northern State leads the series 63-11 since 1986 and have won the last three meetings. Last time out, the teams met in Bemidji in February with Northern State hanging on for the 62-54 victory. The Wolves have won the last 10 meetings in Aberdeen with the last road win for the Beavers happening in 2011-12 (56-54). These two teams will see each other again in Bemidji on Feb. 6.

Live video and stats will be available, along with Beaver Radio Network calling the action. Live video can be found here, live stats can be found here for MSU Moorhead and then here for Northern State. Beaver Radio Network broadcast can be found here.

After this week, Bemidji State will have three more games left in 2023. BSU will host UMary on Dec. 14 and then travel to St. Cloud State on Dec. 16. The Beavers will close the calendar year hosting Valley City State on Dec. 19.