BSU Women’s Basketball returns to NSIC action this week at Mustangs and Cougars

Beavers play two on the road before opening four-game homestand next week

Coming off a non-conference win right before the winter break, the Bemidji State University Women’s Basketball team returns to action this week in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play at Southwest Minnesota State this Friday night at 7:30 p.m. and at Sioux Falls on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

Last time out, Bemidji State (3-7, 0-6 NSIC) pulled away from Valley City State to claim the 67-57 win on Dec. 19. Amme Sheforgen had a big game with 16 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and two steals in 36 minutes. Sam Pogatchnik added 13 points and Alyssa Hill with 12 points.

Bemidji State is averaging 60.5 points and allowing 64.5 points. BSU has made 222-573 (38.7) from the field, 49-183 (26.8) from three and 112-171 (65.5) at the foul line. Opponents are making 242-590 (41) from the field, 40-162 (24.7) from three and 121-182 (66.5) from the foul line.

Hill leads the team at 15.2 points and adds 4.9 rebounds and six blocks. She is making just over 50 percent (61-121) from the field. Hill is also 24-29 (82.8) at the foul line. Pogatchnik is at 8.7 points and 4.1 rebounds, while dishing out 21 assists. Sheforgen leads the team in rebounds per game (5.8) and steals (16), while averaging seven points per game. Sydney White also adds seven points per game. Alayna Suprenand leads the team with 31 assists, while adding 5.1 points per game and a team-best 11 three-pointers.

Bemidji State leads the NSIC in three-point field goal defense percentage (24.7), which ranks 23rd nationally. BSU ranks 68th nationally in blocks per game (3.6).

Individually, Hill ranks fourth in the conference in field goal percentage (50.4) and eighth in points per game (15.2). Suprenand is sixth in the conference in assists per game (3.1), seventh in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.07) and eighth in assists (31).

Bemidji State is 0-3 on the road this season. First up will be a matchup with Southwest Minnesota State. The Mustangs are 7-6 overall and 5-2 in conference play, going 5-2 at home. SMSU is on a five-game winning steak with four of those games against NSIC teams (Concordia-St. Paul, Minnesota Duluth, Sioux Falls and Augustana). The Mustangs hosted Martin Luther this Tuesday at home rolling to the 91-35 victory.

SMSU averages 73.8 points and allows 69.2 points per game. The Mustangs make 340-811 (41.9) from the field, 117-341 (34.3) from three and 163-216 (75.5) at the foul line. Opponents are 330-774 (42.6) from the field, 58-204 (28.4) from three and 182-234 (77.8) at the foul line.

Bri Stoltzman leads the team averaging 18.9 points and 6.9 rebounds. Sam Wall is at 11.6 points and Madison Gehloff chips in 9.5.

Southwest Minnesota State holds the 44-33 series record against Bemidji State since 1978. The teams have split the past two meetings with SMSU winning 69-64 in Bemidji last year, while the Beavers won in Marshall during the 2022 season by a score of 70-67.

To close the week the Beavers will face Sioux Falls. The Cougars re 4-7 overall and 2-5 in NSIC play, going 2-2 at home. Sioux Falls snapped a three-game losing streak last time out defeating Wayne State at home, 70-68, back on Dec. 19.

Sioux Falls is averaging 56.6 points and allowing 63.9 points. The Cougars are making 231-630 (36.7) from the field, 56-225 (24.9) from three and 105-151 (69.5) at the foul line. Opponents are 261-665 (39.2) from the field, 62-203 (30.5) from three and 119-167 (71.3) at the foul line.

Kami Wadsworth leads the way averaging 11.2 points and 3.9 rebounds. Ayla Brown is at 10.5 points per game and 3.6 rebounds.

Sioux Falls is 9-1 in the series against Bemidji State since 2013, while the Beavers won the most recent matchup last January 28 claiming the 65-61 win in Bemidji. It was the first program victory for Bemidji State against Sioux Falls. BSU is 0-5 in Sioux Falls in the series.

Following the road trip, Bemidji State will return home to open a four-game homestand on Friday, January 12 against Minnesota State starting at 7:30 p.m.