Beaver Fever Friday - Lindsey Weiler - @BSUBeaversWBB

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.