MOORHEAD, Minn. — Bemidji State University (8-17, 5-16 NSIC) fell to Minnesota State
University Moorhead (13-12, 10-11 NSIC), 79-43, at Alex Nemzek Fieldhouse. The
Beavers were led by their bench scoring, contributing 22 of their total points. With
this loss, the Beavers are now out of playoff contention, marking a tough end to
their postseason aspirations.

Bemidji State opened the first quarter with strong defensive play and efficient
scoring, highlighted by Kassandra Caron’s early layup to set the tone. The visitors
managed to build a slight lead with a 3-pointer from Gabrielle Fineday at 6:30,
pushing the score to 9-2. Despite the Dragons’ attempts to close the gap, including
a layup from Caylin Kelly, the Beavers maintained their edge.

As the quarter progressed, the teams exchanged leads multiple times. Bemidji State’s
offense was punctuated by Caron’s consistent scoring in the paint, contributing
significantly to the team’s 12 points in the paint. The quarter remained tightly
contested, culminating with Fineday’s two free throws at 0:59, which secured a
narrow 17-16 lead for the Beavers at the close of the first quarter.

Bemidji State started the second quarter with strong defensive rebounding and a
quick layup by Ashlynne Guenther to tie the game at 19-19. Tieryn Plasch then
contributed with two successful free throws, giving the visitors a brief advantage
at 21-19. Despite this early momentum, the Beavers struggled with turnovers
throughout the quarter, committing 11, which allowed MSU Moorhead to gain control.

The Dragons capitalized on the Beavers’ miscues, converting several turnovers into
points and executing a 15-2 run to close out the quarter. Bemidji State managed to
add only six points in the quarter, trailing by 11 points at halftime with a score
of 34-23 in favor of the Dragons.

The Beavers faced a challenging third quarter against MSU Moorhead. The Dragons
capitalized on turnovers, with Ashton Safranski and Abby Berge leading a series of
scoring drives, expanding their advantage early on. Bemidji State struggled to
maintain possession with seven turnovers, but Tiffany Liddie and Kendra Syverson
provided defensive stops with key steals, briefly halting the Dragons’ momentum.

Despite MSU Moorhead’s strong offensive performance, Bemidji State showed resilience
towards the end. Ashlynne Guenther and MaCee Linow contributed scoring efforts,
including a three-pointer by Syverson, closing the quarter. The quarter concluded
with the Dragons leading 58–33.

Bemidji State opened the fourth quarter with consistent defensive efforts, securing
13 rebounds and forcing turnovers, but struggled to find the basket, converting just
one field goal out of 17 attempts. Gabrielle Fineday provided a spark with a jumper
from the paint, contributing to Bemidji State’s offensive push. However, the Dragons
capitalized on their shooting opportunities, making eight field goals, including two
3-pointers.

Despite Bemidji State’s solid free-throw shooting, converting 8 of 10 attempts, MSU
Moorhead maintained its momentum with 10 paint points and four assists that
facilitated efficient scoring. The Beavers’ defensive tenacity resulted in one steal
and held the Dragons to several missed shots, but the opposition’s bench contributed
significantly, scoring 13 points. The quarter concluded with the Dragons leading
79–43.

Ashlynne Guenther scored seven points and added one assist. Kendra Syverson
contributed five points and recorded five rebounds. Gabrielle Fineday tallied seven
points and collected four rebounds. Kassandra Caron posted six points, secured five
rebounds, and made one block.

Bemidji State has a record of 8-17 overall and 5-16 in NSIC play. The Dragons hold a
record of 13-12 overall and 10-11 in NSIC competition.

BEMIDJI, Minn. — Bemidji State University Women’s Basketball (9-17, 6-16 NSIC)
secured a 77-68 victory over University of Minnesota Crookston (8-20, 7-15 NSIC),
with a strong fourth-quarter performance at the BSU Gymnasium. This game was
particularly special for Bemidji State as it was Senior Day, celebrating the
contributions of seniors Kassandra Caron, Beth Bolte, and Tiffany Liddie.

Bemidji State opened the first quarter with strong defensive play, securing two
early defensive rebounds and a block by Kassandra Caron. Caron also contributed
offensively, making an early jumper in the paint. Despite a series of turnovers
midway through the quarter, the Beavers regained momentum with a three-pointer by
Gabrielle Fineday at 5:57, closing the gap in scoring. The Beavers capitalized on
late free throws by Evyn Eppinga, who went 3-for-3 from the line at 1:04, giving
them a lead. Eppinga further extended the advantage with a three-pointer at 52
seconds. The Beavers closed the first quarter ahead 22-18, demonstrating resilience
and effective scoring from the line and beyond the arc.

The second quarter saw a significant shift early when Bemidji State’s Eppinga
connected on a 3-pointer, assisted by Ashlynne Guenther, to extend the lead to
25–18. However, the Golden Eagles responded with a series of points, including a
3-pointer by Natalie Mikrot, which helped them regain the lead. Despite several
turnovers, the Beavers recaptured momentum with Fineday’s consecutive 3-pointers,
pushing the team back ahead briefly. Minnesota Crookston’s Emma Miller kept the
pressure on with successful shots, leading to a tight back-and-forth battle.
Eppinga’s shooting from beyond the arc helped Bemidji State stay competitive, but
the quarter ended in a tie at 39–39 as time expired.

Bemidji State began the third quarter with a critical response to Minnesota
Crookston’s initial score, as Eppinga hit a 3-pointer to regain a narrow lead. The
teams traded baskets, with the Beavers staying competitive through timely shooting
and defensive rebounds. Fineday’s layup at 7:14 tied the game, while Caron added
consecutive scores to keep Bemidji State close. As the quarter progressed, the
Beavers capitalized on a steal by Fineday and maintained pressure on defense, with
Beth Bolte contributing a key block. Guenther’s layup at 1:14 put the Beavers ahead,
and Tieryn Plasch solidified the momentum with a jumper, assisted by Kendra
Syverson, to extend the lead. The quarter concluded with Bemidji State ahead, 56-53,
after outscoring Minnesota Crookston 17-14 in the third.

Bemidji State began the fourth quarter with a strong offensive push, highlighted by
Eppinga’s early 3-pointer. Despite Minnesota Crookston’s efforts to close the gap
with points in the paint, the Beavers maintained their advantage through efficient
shooting and key defensive stops. Aubrey Heyer and Guenther contributed critical
assists and rebounds, helping Bemidji State extend its lead. With Plasch hitting
crucial free throws, the Beavers’ defense limited the Golden Eagles to just one
successful field goal in the final minute. Bemidji State sealed a 75-68 victory,
outscoring Minnesota Crookston 21-15 in the quarter and controlling the rebound
battle.

Eppinga scored 29 points, making eight of 12 three-point attempts, one shy of tying
the program record for single-game threes made. Caron contributed 15 points and
collected six rebounds. Plasch added 13 points, converting all six of her free-throw
attempts. Fineday tallied 11 points, with three of her field goals coming from
beyond the arc.

Bemidji State finishes the season with a record of 9-17 overall and 6-16 in NSIC
play. Minnesota Crookston holds an 8-20 overall record with a 7-15 mark in NSIC
competition. The Golden Eagles now prepare to take on Southwest Minnesota State
University in the first round of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference
Tournament on February 25.