CROOKSTON - Inconsistent play by the Bemidji State women's basketball team led to a 91-82 loss to Minnesota Crookston Saturday in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference game played at Lysaker Gymnasium.
The Beavers (12-12, 6-11 NSIC) and Golden Eagles were tied 9-9 early before the Beavers scored 11 unanswered points to take a 20-9 lead six minutes into the game.
But Crookston battled back and cut BSU's lead to 37-36 at halftime.
Freshman Jessie Althoff scored 14 points in the first half, as BSU shot 45.7 percent from the field.
The game went back and forth in the second half.
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The home team then put together a 10-2 run that gave them a 13-point lead at 81-68 with 3:56 to go.
The Beavers were able to cut the deficit to six at 83-77 with 1:05 remaining off a freshman Katie Pettit 3-pointer.
Crookston was able to push back out to a comfortable lead with free throws until Smanatha Baldwin's 3-pointer with 38 seconds remaining cut the Golden Eagles' lead to five points.
But Crookston was again clutch at the free throw line, made a pair of baskets and put the game out of reach for the Beavers.
Althoff and Colleen McKay had career nights for Bemidji State. Althoff finished with 21 points and McKay finished with 20 points.
McKay added a team-high eight rebounds.
BSU had 26 fouls in the game, sending the Golden Eagles to the line 45 times, with them making 37 of them.
BSU hosts Winona State University in its final home game of the season Feb. 20 at 2 p.m.
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The game will serve as fan appreciation night, senior night for Kim Rosecrans and a WBCA Pink Zone event.
