The Bemidji State University women’s basketball team recorded a five point victory against Upper Iowa University Friday in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference contest played at the BSU Gymnasium. The Beavers won 77-72 with help from sophomore Kate Warmack (C, East Grand Forks, Minn.) who scored 20 points and added a career-high 13 rebounds for her fourth-career double-double.

Sophomore Morgan Lee (G, Hayward, Minn.) added 18 points and a carer-high eight rebounds for BSU to help snap a five-game skid and improve to 9-17 overall and 7-14 in the NSIC. BSU finished the game with 52 rebounds, 17 of which came off the offensive glass which turned into 18 second chance points. The total rebound mark was by far the best in conference play this season by the Beavers and second only to pulling down 56 against Mayville State University in the second game of the 2011-12 season. BSU also had 18 assists and only 13 turnovers in the win.

Senior Samantha Baldwin (G, St Thomas, N.D.) scored 14 points and added seven rebounds with a game-high five assists for the Beavers, playing in her second to last game in the green and white. Warmack posted her third 20-point game of the season on 9-of-13 (69.2%) shooting from the field. She also added three blocks.

BSU and the Peacocks went toe-to-toe in the first 10 minutes of the game as the contest was tied 14-14. The Beavers then posted a 15-0 run that put them up 29-14 with 4:20 remaining, holding UIU scoreless for more than six minutes of game time. The Peacocks converted on a free throw with 4:01 left to snap the skid, but the Beavers continued to apply pressure and held a 13 point lead at the half.

The Beavers held the 33-20 lead heading into the locker room on just 38.7 percent shooting, but forced the Peacocks to a 25 percent mark from the field. The Beavers converted on 8-of-10 from the charity stripe and owned an 18-4 advantage in the paint.

The second half started strong for the Beavers and with 14:25 left BSU took a 19 point lead with the score sitting at 54-35. The Peacocks cut the deficit to 11 at 57-46 with 11:17 remaining, but the Beavers responded and held a 64-46 lead with 9:15 showing on the clock. However, UIU began to gain confidence and quickly stared to make their way back. The Beavers had lost three of the last four games after owning halftime leads and the game was becoming like a reoccurring nightmare for the home team.

The Peacocks cut the deficit to less than 10 for the first time with 7:24 remaining and the scoreboard reading 66-57. UIU then completed its 18-2 run with 5:15 left, getting within two at 66-64, forcing a timeout from BSU head coach Mike Curfman. The Beavers came out of the timeout and got a much-needed bucket from sophomore Ellie Wessling (G/F, Winsted Minn.). UIU responded with a score of its own, but the Beavers found a jumper from Warmack and owned a four point lead with 4:11 to go.

The two point difference would be as close as the Peacocks would get, as the Beavers found a way to win down the stretch. The dagger came off the hand of Baldwin with 2:33 remaining to give BSU a six point lead at 75-69. UIU would only muster three points for the rest of the contest and the Beavers walked away with the five point win.

Bemidji State’s next and final action of the season will be at the BSU Gymnasium Feb. 25 at 4 p.m. against Winona State University. The Beavers will be looking for their fifth 10-win season under Curfman (eighth season).