Bemidji State hoops host UMary and Minot State ahead of winter break
Ugly Sweater Night and Battle of the Beavers highlight pivotal NSIC home series

Bemidji State University Women’s Basketball prepares to host the University of Mary and Minot State University this weekend at the BSU Gymnasium. The Beavers will take on the Marauders at 7:30 p.m. Thursday for Ugly Sweater Night, followed by the Battle of the Beavers Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

BEMIDJI, Minn. — Bemidji State University (6-4, 3-3 NSIC) fell to the University of
Mary (11-3, 5-1 NSIC), 93-77, at BSU Gymnasium, with the Marauders outscoring the
Beavers by 11 points in the third quarter. The Beavers recorded 11 steals and
converted 19 points off turnovers.

Bemidji State initiated play with assertive defense, forcing five turnovers and
converting them into points. Kassandra Caron set the pace early with a layup and a
3-pointer, contributing to a 10–4 lead in points in the paint. Despite the early
advantage, the quarter saw several lead changes. Evyn Eppinga’s consistent presence
in the paint, including multiple layups and a successful free throw, kept the team
competitive. However, the Marauders closed the quarter with a late jumper by Allison
Undlin, moving ahead 21–19 at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Bemidji State’s Ashlynne Guenther contributed significantly,
beginning with two free throws at 9:32, followed by a 3-pointer that narrowed the
gap to 31–26. Momentum continued as Eppinga added a layup at 5:51, further closing
the score to 38–35. Despite strong efforts, the Marauders extended their lead,
capitalizing on the Beavers’ turnovers and fast breaks.

The Beavers’ defensive efforts included two steals, but Mary’s efficient shooting
and free throws maintained their advantage. The quarter concluded with a layup by
Tieryn Plasch with 10 seconds remaining, leaving the Beavers trailing 48–41.

Bemidji State opened the third quarter seeking to narrow the gap, but Mary quickly
extended their lead with an early layup and a 3-pointer. Plasch connected on a
jumper to keep the score within reach. Caron contributed by blocking a shot and
adding a layup, followed by two successful free throws, momentarily reducing the
deficit. Midway through the quarter, the Beavers gained momentum with a 3-pointer
from Plasch, facilitated by an assist from Eppinga. However, Mary’s efficient
shooting, including multiple 3-pointers, countered the efforts. The Beavers’ defense
forced turnovers, but struggles with field goal accuracy limited further scoring
opportunities. As the quarter closed, Caron added another layup and a free throw,
but Mary maintained their advantage with consistent scoring. The quarter concluded
with the Beavers trailing, 73–55, as they prepared for the final push.

Bemidji State began the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer from Gabrielle Fineday,
narrowing the margin early. Caron contributed offensively, adding points from the
free-throw line and setting up a 3-pointer by MaCee Linow. The Beavers capitalized
on defensive plays, with Plasch and Caron each recording a steal. Despite the
efforts, Bemidji State faced a persistent challenge as Mary responded with
consistent scoring, maintaining their lead. Beth Bolte connected on two 3-pointers,
assisted by Plasch and Aubrey Heyer, to keep the Beavers competitive in the quarter.
The team also made crucial free throws to close the gap slightly. As the quarter
progressed, the Beavers continued to fight, with Eppinga adding two free throws late
in the quarter. The home team outscored their opponents 22-20 in the fourth quarter,
but the game concluded with Mary securing a 93-77 victory.

Eppinga led the team with 16 points, converting six free throws and recording three
steals. Caron scored 18 points, making six field goals and adding two steals. Plasch
posted 10 points while contributing four assists and two steals. Bolte added nine
points, hitting three 3-pointers in her performance.

The Marauders hold an 11-3 overall record and a 5-1 mark in NSIC play. The Beavers
stand at 6-4 overall with a 3-3 record in NSIC competition. In their next matchup,
Bemidji State will host Minot State University on Saturday, Dec. 20. The game is set
to tip off at 3:30 p.m. at BSU Gymnasium in Bemidji.

BEMIDJI, Minn. — Bemidji State University (6-5, 3-4 NSIC) fell to Minot State
University (7-7, 4-3 NSIC), 84-71, at BSU Gymnasium on Saturday. The Beavers matched
Minot with 26 total rebounds, and both teams committed 16 turnovers in the contest.

Bemidji State began the first quarter with a strong start, scoring seven unanswered
points, highlighted by Ashlynne Guenther’s early jumper and Tieryn Plasch’s
three-pointer. Kassandra Caron added to the momentum with a fast break layup
following her steal, extending the lead. The team capitalized on their opportunities
in the paint, scoring 14 points and limiting Minot to 12 points in the same area.

Despite a series of turnovers toward the end of the quarter, the Beavers managed to
maintain the pressure with effective defensive plays, including three blocks. Minot
managed to respond late in the quarter, tying the score at 22–22 with a last-second
layup. The quarter concluded with both teams deadlocked on the scoreboard.

The Beavers began the second quarter by closing the gap with a layup from Caron and
a 3-pointer by Evyn Eppinga, cutting Minot’s lead to 29–27. Midway through the
quarter, the team maintained pressure with a 3-pointer from Sam Veto, narrowing the
margin to 31–30. Despite these efforts, Minot extended their lead with a series of
successful layups.

In the latter half of the quarter, Caron contributed with both a layup and two free
throws, but Minot’s efficient shooting from the paint allowed them to widen the gap.
The quarter concluded with the Beavers trailing 47–38, as they struggled to contain
Minot’s scoring in the paint.

Bemidji St. opened the third quarter by narrowing the gap with a strategic offensive
push, highlighted by Eppinga’s back-to-back three-pointers. Despite Minot’s initial
lead, Bemidji St. countered by forcing turnovers and capitalizing on fast-break
opportunities. Caron contributed significantly with a key jumper and defensive
rebound that spurred momentum.

As the quarter progressed, Bemidji St. maintained pressure, closing with an 8-2 run
in the paint. Minot added to their score with consistent free-throw shooting but
struggled to contain Bemidji St.’s offensive surge. The quarter ended with Bemidji
St. outscoring Minot 19-17, reducing the overall deficit to 64-57.

The fourth quarter began with the Beavers closing the gap as Caron converted two
free throws to make it 67-59 following an early three-pointer by Minot. Eppinga then
hit a three-pointer at 8:17 to narrow the deficit to five points. However, Minot
responded with consistent free throw shooting, maintaining their lead through the
quarter.

Despite the efforts of the Beavers, including a three-pointer from Plasch and a
jumper from Eppinga, Minot capitalized on their opportunities at the free-throw
line, extending their lead. With the clock winding down, Bemidji St. continued to
fight back, but Minot’s accuracy from the line sealed the game. The quarter
concluded with a final score of 84-71 in favor of Minot.

Eppinga led the scoring with 24 points, recording four 3-pointers and collecting
five rebounds. Caron contributed with 16 points and added four assists, also
securing seven rebounds. Plasch scored 13 points, including three 3-pointers, and
registered one steal. Tiffany Liddie provided defensive support with two blocks and
added two points.

Bemidji State is now 6-5 overall with a conference record of 3-4 in NSIC play. Minot
holds a 7-7 overall record and a 4-3 mark in the NSIC. Looking ahead, Bemidji State
will face off against the University of Minnesota Duluth at BSU Gymnasium in
Bemidji, Minnesota. The matchup is set for Saturday, Jan. 3, at 3:30 p.m.