BEMIDJI - After jumping out to a 6-2 lead over Mayville State on Tuesday, the Bemidji State women’s basketball team stumbled by giving up four straight three-pointers, falling into a 14-6 hole.
The eight point deficit was as bad as it would get, however, as the Beavers (2-0) recovered for an 82-61 win.
BSU was able to erase the early deficit by relying on Aimee Pelzer, who scored a career-high 23 points, 11 of which came in the second quarter. Pelzer’s offensive outburst gave Bemidji State a 36-29 advantage going into the half, and in the third quarter the Beavers took off.
BSU opened up the second half on a 16-0 run to stretch its lead to 52-29 before Mayville State finally stopped the bleeding. Sierra Senske started the run by scoring the first five points of the half, including an and-one bucket just five seconds into the third quarter.
Four Beavers finished in double digit scoring. Along with Pelzer, Senske finished with 18, Tatum Sheley had 11 and Hanna Zerr pitched in 10. Katie Miller also hauled in nine rebounds and Sheley dished out six assists. But despite the well-rounded team effort, the night belonged to Pelzer.
The final buzzer capped a career performance for Pelzer, who set four career highs. She ended with personal bests in points (23), attempted 3-point field goals (10), made 3-point field goals (5) and steals (6). She also tied a career high in made field goals with seven.
Bemidji State held off a late attempt at a Comet comeback by scoring 13 of the game’s last 17 points, five of which came from Sheley. BSU’s final 13-4 run was all it needed to cruise to the 21 point victory behind Pelzer’s strong performance.
BSU will return to action at 2 p.m. Saturday when it takes on Valley City State at the BSU Gymnasium.
Bemidji State 82, Mayville State 61
Mayville State (4-5, 1-0 NSAA) - Jenna Lundon 4-9 2-2 14; Joelle Ertl 4-10 3-4 13; Kendra Heier 3-8 0-0 9; Liza Hoglo 3-10 3-4 9; Alexia Olson 1-4 4-6 6; Karleigh Weber 2-4 0-0 6; Chelsey Anderson 1-2 0-0 2; Alicia Nopola 1-3 0-0 2; Totals 19-50 12-16 61.
Bemidji State (2-0, 0-0 NSIC) - Aimee Pelzer 7-13 4-5 23; Sierra Senske 7-19 4-8 18; Tatum Sheley 4-11 2-2 11; Hanna Zerr 4-8 1-1 10; Mikayla Larson 2-2 4-4 8; Allie Knuti 2-5 1-2 5; Allison Cordes 1-1 1-2 4; Katie Miller 1-2 1-2 3; Sarah Durand 0-2 0-0 0; McKenzie Muelken 0-1 0-0 0; Totals 28-64 18-26 82.
3 point goals - Mayville State 11-26 (Jenna Lundon 4-8; Kendra Heier 3-7; Karleigh Weber 2-3; Joelle Ertl 2-6; Liza Hoglo 0-1; Chelsey Anderson 0-1;), Bemidji State 8-17 (Aimee Pelzer 5-10; Hanna Zerr 1-1; Tatum Sheley 1-4; Allison Cordes 1-1; Sierra Senske 0-1;). Fouled out - Mayville State - Alexia Olson;, Bemidji State - None. Rebounds - Mayville State 37 (Liza Hoglo 12), Bemidji State 38 (Katie Miller 9). Assists - Mayville State 12 (Joelle Ertl 5), Bemidji State 19 (Tatum Sheley 6). Total fouls - Mayville State 19, Bemidji State 19. Technical fouls - Mayville State 0, Bemidji State 0. A-293.
