Bemidji State opens road trip at Golden Bears and Bulldogs

Beavers begin three-game road trip in St. Paul

The Bemidji State University Women’s Basketball team begins a three-game road series this week playing at Concordia-St. Paul and Minnesota Duluth. The Beavers will face the Golden Bears on Friday at 5:30 p.m. and then Minnesota Duluth on Saturday beginning at 3:30 p.m.

Bemidji State (3-13, 0-12 NSIC) came close in both games last week, coming up just short against Augustana (70-60) and Wayne State (58-51). BSU fought back to within five points of Augustana in the second half and then were within a point of Wayne State with two minutes to play.

The Beavers average 57.3 points and allow 64.4 points. BSU is making 342-899 (38) from the field, 79-313 (25.2) from three and 153-227 (67.4) at the foul line. Opponents are making 380-931 (40.8) from the field, 57-247 (23.1) from three and 213-310 (68.7) at the foul line.

Alyssa Hill is averaging 12.9 points and 4.9 rebounds, making almost 52 percent (86-166 (51.8) from the field. She is also connecting on 28-33 (84.8) at the charity stripe. Sam Pogatchnik averages 9.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and has 33 assists. Amme Sheforgen tallies 6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds, along with 40 assists and 12 steals. Sydney White (5.6) and Alayna Suprenand (5.3) each add over five points per game.

Bemidji State leads the NSIC and is ninth nationally in three-point field goal percentage defense (23.1). BSU is fifth in the NSIC in bench points per game (19.3) and seventh in defensive rebounds per game (26.1).

Individually, Hill is third in the NSIC and 48th nationally in field goal percentage (51.8) and is 12th in the conference in field goals (86).

Concordia-St. Paul enters the week 12-5 overall and 8-4 in conference play having gone 5-1 at home this season. The Golden Bears went 1-1 last week defeating MSU Moorhead (65-57) and falling to Northern State (71-61). They lost their last home game against UMary (60-57) on Jan. 6.

CSP averages 65.8 points and allows 60.5 points. The Golden Bears make 418-1,000 (41.8) from the field, 76-255 (29.8) from three and 206-301 (68.4) at the foul line. Opponents are making 374-990 (37.8) from the field, 90-303 (29.7) from three and 191-258 (74) at the foul line.

Ally Gietzel leads the way averaging 17.6 points and 7.1 rebounds. Lindsey Becher adds 12.2 points and 5.8 rebounds. Lauren Wilson posts 10.9 points and 4.2 rebounds, while making over 51 percent (73-141) from the field.

Concordia-St. Paul leads the series 33-16 against Bemidji State since 1978. The Beavers are 6-16 on the road during that time. Last year, BSU claimed the 70-67 victory in Bemidji and have won three of the last four meetings.

Minnesota Duluth is 10-6 overall and 7-5 in NSIC play, going 6-1 at home this season. Last week, the team split the two meetings defeating MSU Moorhead (78-64) and falling to Northern State (81-70). They last played at home on Jan. 6 defeating Minot State (54-50).

UMD is averaging 66.9 points and allowing 61.9 points. The Bulldogs make 401-910 (44.1) from the field, 89-270 (33) from three and 179-241 (74.3) at the foul line. Opponents are making 353-912 (38.7) from the field, 72-251 (28.7) from three and 212-296 (71.6) at the foul line.

Taya Hakamaki leads the way averaging 13.1 points and 4.4 rebounds, along with 26 steals and 53 free throws. Taytum Rhoades is at 11.6 points and 4.9 rebounds, dishing out a team-high 64 assists and a team-best 24 blocks. Madelyn Granica tallies 10.8 points and is making almost 60 percent (71-120) from the field. Lexi Karge adds 9.7 points and Ella Gilbertson is at 8.0 points.

Minnesota Duluth is 80-30 against Bemidji State since 1968 and have won the last 13 meetings. BSU is 4-41 in Duluth during that time. Last year, UMD won both meetings by scores of 78-49 in Bemidji and then 84-62 in Duluth. The last win for BSU was during the 2017 season winning in Bemidji (60-57). The last win in Duluth was during the 1987 season (73-64).

Entering this week in the NSIC standings, Minnesota State leads the way at 11-1. Northern State and Southwest Minnesota State are tied for second at 10-2. Concordia-St. Paul and UMary are tied for fourth at 8-4. Minnesota Duluth and St. Cloud State are tied for sixth at 7-5. Minnesota Crookston and MSU Moorhead are tied for eighth at 6-6.

Following the road games this week, Bemidji State will play at Minot State next Thursday (Feb. 1) and then host MSU Moorhead on Saturday (Feb. 3).