BEMIDJI, Minn. – The University of Sioux Falls Women's Basketball team battled throughout another tightly contested NSIC road game but ultimately fell 76–70 to Bemidji State on Saturday afternoon. In a game that featured multiple momentum swings and never saw either team lead by more than six points, a late Bemidji State run proved to be the difference as the Beavers closed the game on a 6–0 surge.
USF leaned on its interior play and forced turnovers to stay within striking distance all afternoon, but Bemidji State's perimeter shooting and rebounding edge allowed the Beavers to hold control in key moments. With the loss, the Cougars came up just short in another grind-it-out Northern Sun battle.
Game Summary
The Cougars established an inside presence early, consistently attacking the paint and generating high-percentage looks. USF finished with 24 points from Krista Langager in the post and balanced scoring from Anna Vaaler and Alexis Rose. Despite the strong interior play, USF struggled to find consistency from beyond the arc, shooting just 3-for-17 from three-point range.
Bemidji State capitalized from the perimeter, knocking down 12 three-pointers and using those extra points to offset USF's advantages in forcing turnovers. The Beavers also won the rebounding battle 43–32, including 10 offensive rebounds that extended possessions and kept the Cougars' defense on the floor late.
How It Happened
First Quarter
USF attacked the paint early, scoring 14 points inside in the opening quarter, with 10 coming from Langager. Bemidji State countered with perimeter shooting and free throws, hitting three three-pointers and going 4-for-4 at the line. Nine of the Beavers' points came from the bench, helping them take a slim 19–17 lead after one.
Second Quarter
Another tightly contested period followed, with both teams shooting 6-for-16 from the field. USF picked up points off turnovers and second-chance opportunities, but Bemidji State maintained its edge, winning the quarter 16–14. A three-pointer at the buzzer gave the Beavers a four-point lead heading into halftime.
Third Quarter
Both teams found offensive rhythm in the third, each scoring 24 points. Rose provided a spark with nine points on perfect shooting from the floor and the free-throw line, while Vaaler added efficient scoring of her own. USF forced six turnovers with five steals in the quarter, but Bemidji State remained efficient, shooting 63.6 percent from the field and 4-for-7 from three to hold its four-point advantage entering the fourth.
Fourth Quarter
The Cougars continued to attack the paint in the final period, outscoring Bemidji State 12–2 inside. Langager added eight more points, and USF briefly pulled even at 70–70. However, Bemidji State answered with a decisive 6–0 run, fueled by perimeter shots, to close the game and secure the 76–70 win.
Key Team Stats
- Three-Point Shooting: USF shot 17.6 percent from deep (3-for-17), while Bemidji State connected on 12-of-31 three-point attempts.
- Rebounding: Bemidji State held a 43–32 edge on the glass, including 10 offensive rebounds that extended key possessions.
- Turnovers: USF committed just six turnovers and forced 17, converting those into 17 points.
- Close Game: The lead never exceeded six points for either team, underscoring how tightly contested the game was throughout.
Key Cougars
Coach's Corner
"Didn't play well enough on the road to be able to get a road victory in the Northern Sun. We weren't very locked in on the defensive end of the floor and gave up too many threes against Bemidji State. All the credit in the world goes to them. We just need to get a lot better as a team defensively."
— Head Coach Travis Traphagen
Up Next
The Cougars return home next weekend to host U-Mary on Friday, January 16, at 7:30 p.m., followed by Minot State on Saturday, January 17, at 5:00 p.m. inside the Stewart Center.
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