BEMIDJI -- The Bemidji State women’s basketball team was finding its footing through three quarters. Already having erased a double-digit deficit, the Beavers were primed through its momentum for a strong finish heading down the stretch.
But a 14-2 run from Minnesota Duluth closed the night and proved fatal as the Bulldogs ran away with a 52-44 comeback victory from the BSU Gymnasium on Friday.
“I thought we were in control of the game. I felt confident,” Bemidji State head coach Chelsea DeVille said. “It was absolutely a lapse in the defense, mentally, on what we were doing… That’s what really hit us.”
Early on, the Beavers (1-4, 0-1 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference) struggled to find a flow offensively, allowing for an opening 7-0 UMD lead after four minutes.
BSU kept close enough for a 15-10 score by quarter’s end, but the Bulldogs (3-1, 1-0 NSIC) still dictated much of the game. The deficit grew on Bemidji State to 24-14 midway through the second.
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But then the Beavers stormed all the way back.
Mia Appicelli sparked a run after a Sam Adamich jumper, throwing a full-court outlet pass over four defenders to Brooklyn Bachmann for transition layup. A hesitation drive from Appicelli added another two on the next possession, and then Sydney Zerr put in a pair of layups -- including the last to beat the halftime buzzer -- making for a 24-all game through the 10-0 run.
The spurt hit 15 straight when Bachmann opened the third with a three and a layup for a 29-24 lead.
“We passing the ball, being unselfish, looking for the post. They were trying to get assists by kicking it out,” Bachmann said. “I was really confident that we were gonna win.”
“I liked the fight we had. I liked how we were guarding,” DeVille added. “We looked like a tougher team.”
Bemidji State’s newfound dominance made for a 37-31 lead entering the fourth, but then Minnesota Duluth responded.
After a Bachmann three made for a 42-38 BSU lead, UMD took over, scoring 14 of the game’s final 16 points over the last 5 minutes, 48 seconds. Anna Monke took over late, scoring eight points down the final stretch, leading the Bulldogs to the 52-44 win over Bemidji State.
“We were leading the whole game, and then it comes down to, defensively, knowing where our scout was,” Bachmann said. “It’s just really, at the end of the games when you’re tired, grinding through and thinking about what you’re doing still, not letting the game get away from you… I really felt like we were going to win that game.”
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Bachmann paced the Beavers with a game-high 17 points, while Appicelli added eight. Monke finished with 16 for Minnesota Duluth, and Sammy Kozlowski (13) and Sarah Grow (10) also hit double figures.
“We were 14-2 to end the game, they had us,” DeVille said. “That’s tough to come back from. I’m not going to blame it on youth or use it as an excuse, but it is growing pains a little bit.”
The Beavers will return to the hardwood at 4 p.m. today to host St. Cloud State, back at the BSU Gymnasium.
