Beavers set to host Wolves this Tuesday and play at Golden Eagles on Thursday

BSU enters final six games of NSIC season

The Bemidji State University Women’s Basketball team riding a two-game winning streak will look to keep the momentum rolling this week playing a pair of Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference games hosting Northern State on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. and playing at Minnesota Crookston on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

Bemidji State (5-15, 2-14 NSIC) has moved to within three games of an NSIC Tournament spot that is currently occupied by three teams tied for 10th in Sioux Falls, Minot State and Augustana all 5-11. BSU is just four games back of Minnesota Crookston in ninth at 6-10.

The Beavers picked up their first two NSIC wins against Minot State (77-63) and MSU Moorhead (65-54). With still six games left in the NSIC regular season, BSU still has plenty of time to move into an NSIC Tournament spot.

Head coach Chelsea Stoltenberg is just one win from moving to fourth alone in the program record book for wins, currently tied with Joan Campbell at 70 wins. Alyssa Hill moved past 500 career points this week and is currently at 503.

Bemidji State is averaging 57 points and allowing 64.6 points. BSU is making 423-1,112 (38) from the field, 107-389 (27.5) from three and 186-276 (67.4) at the foul line. Opponents are making 481-1,178 (40.8) from the field, 77-324 (23.8) from three and 253-368 (68.8) at the foul line.

Hill leads the team averaging 12.4 points and 4.4 rebounds, along with 14 blocks. She is making over 51 percent (106-207) from the field and has gone 30-37 (81.1) at the foul line. Sam Pogatchnik averages 8.7 points and 4.4 rebounds, while dishing out 40 assists and has 19 steals. Amme Sheforgen nearly recorded a double-double and averages 6.9 points and 5.4 rebounds. She leads the team with 45 assists, 24 steals and 18 blocks. Alayna Suprenand leads the team with 25 three-pointers. Isabel Majewski is second with 20 three-pointers.

Bemidji State leads the NSIC and ranks fifth nationally in three-point percentage on defense (23.8). BSU is 36th nationally in blocks per game (4.1). Hill ranks third in the NSIC and 45th nationally in field goal percentage (51.2) and ranks 11th in the NSIC in field goals (106). Sheforgen is 12th in the conference in blocks (18) and 14th in blocks per game (0.90).

BSU will see Northern State for the second time this season after playing in Aberdeen on Dec. 9. The Wolves won that game by a score of 81-61. Hill powered the Beavers with 20 points and five rebounds. Pogatchnik added 14 points.

Northern State is 15-7 overall and 10-5 in NSIC play, going 7-5 away from home and 6-4 in true road contests. NSU has lost three straight falling to UMary (77-72) and St. Cloud State (75-55) this past week and dropped a 73-53 contest to Southwest Minnesota State before that. Their last win was on Jan. 26 coming away with the 72-58 road victory at Sioux Falls.

Northern State averages 66.2 points and allows 61.9 points. NSU makes 540-1,269 (42.6) from the field, 128-392 (32.7) from three and 248-338 (73.4) at the foul line. Opponents are making 492-1,323 (37.2) from the field, 133-421 (31.6) from three and 245-329 (74.5) at the foul line.

Madelyn Bragg leads the team averaging 19.2 points and 6.8 rebounds. She is making almost 53 percent (170-322) from the field. Rianna Fillipi is at 12.1 points and 68 rebounds. She leads the team with 107 assists. Alayna Benike adds nine points and Brynn Alfson tallies seven points per game. Northern State is currently fifth in the NSIC standings at 11-5.

Northern State holds the 64-11 series record against Bemidji State and have won the last four meetings. BSU is 9-27 at home in the series. The last win for the Beavers was during the 2021-22 season picking up the 66-50 win in Bemidji. Last year’s game in Bemidji was close down the stretch before the Wolves held on for the 62-54 victory.

To close the week, the Beavers will play at Minnesota Crookston on Thursday. The two teams played in Bemidji back on Dec. 2 with the Golden Eagles surviving for the 73-70 victory. The game was about to go to overtime, before a scramble under the boards led to a layup for Minnesota Crookston with a second to play for the victory. Sydney White led the way with a career-high 20 points, while Suprenand and Hill added 13 points apiece.

Minnesota Crookston is 9-13 overall and 6-10 in NSIC play this season, having lost seven straight. They hold a 6-4 record at home. Since a 77-69 home win against Winona State on Jan. 12, UMC has lost the last seven games. This past week, the Golden Eagles lost to MSU Moorhead (75-52) and St. Cloud State (79-64).

UMC is averaging 64.8 points and allowing 71.5 points. The Golden Eagles make 503-1,315 (38.3) from the field, 135-408 (33.1) from three and 285-404 (70.5) at the foul line. Opponents are making 601-1,598 (37.6) from the field, 157-533 (29.5) from three and 214-340 (62.9) at the foul line.

Emma Miller leads the team averaging 17.5 points and 6.6 rebounds, along with 72 assists. She has made 51 three-pointers. Janie Tormanen adds 12.7 points and 5.7 rebounds. Olivia Walsh averages 7.9 points and Hope Dudycha is at seven points per contest. Minnesota Crookston is currently ninth in the NSIC standings at 6-10.

Bemidji State holds the 28-25 series record against Minnesota Crookston as the Golden Eagles have won the last three meetings. BSU is 15-12 in Crookston during that time. Prior to the three-game winning streak by UMC, the Beavers had won six straight from 2019 until 2022.

Following the games this week, Bemidji State will be off until next Friday, Feb. 16, hosting Sioux Falls beginning at 5:30 p.m. inside the BSU Gym.