(MINOT, N.D.) – The Minot State women's basketball team is set for a pivotal weekend of NSIC basketball. The Beavers will visit their mascot counterparts in Bemidji State on Friday, Jan. 24 and then play Minnesota Crookston on Saturday, Jan. 25.
All three teams are vying for preferred position in the conference tournament so both games this weekend hold major postseason implications.
Series History
Friday's game marks the 19th overall meeting between Bemdji State and Minot State with the MSU leading the all-time series, 12-6. In their last meeting, Minot State defeated Bemidji State 70-52 in Bemidji, Minn. on Feb. 16, 2019. Minot State is currently on a four-game winning-streak versus BSU. Bemidji State hasn't beaten MSU since sweeping the 2017 season series.
The game between Minnesota Crookston and Minot State on Saturday marks the 24th overall meeting between the two teams. The Beavers lead the all-time series 15-8. Minot State defeated UMC 78-77 in Crookston, Minn. on Feb. 15, 2019. The Beavers have won the last two meetings with UMC.
Beaver Tracks
Nothing but Net: Mariah Payne has led the Beavers in scoring since the opening game of the season. The senior guard is currently averaging 17.2 points per contest and is shooting 42% from the field and 41% from three. Payne is among the conference's premier scorers as she ranks fourth in the league in scoring average. Payne's shooting percentages of 42% from the field and 41% from behind the arc also rank 11th and fourth, respectively.
Free Throw Freaks: Minot State is currently sixth in the NSIC in team free throw percentage at 74% for the entire group. The Beavers have made 179 free throw shots out of 241 attempts.
Spreading the Love: The Beaver women have been among the best in the league when assisting on baskets. Minot State ranks seventh in the NSIC in total team assists with 235 total dishes in their 14 games. The Beavers are averaging just under 15 assists per game which is fourth in the league.
Mariah Payne is leading the Beavers in that category with 53 total assists and 3.5 assist per game. Payne's numbers are eighth-best in the NSIC.
Stuffed: Sophomore center
Anna Counts has been a rock-solid defender in the paint for the Beavers. Counts has been an excellent rim protector for MSU with an average of 1.3 blocks per game and 21 total stuffs. That stat ranks sixth in the NSIC. The Beavers rank eighth as a team in blocks with 39 total rejections and an average of 2.4 per game.
Owning the Boards: Calli Delsman is among the NSIC's best rebounders this season. The junior wing has been coming off the bench in recent games and has grabbed 115 total boards and averages 7.2 rebounds per game. This statistic ranks tenth
Scouting Report
Bemidji State- The Beavers enter this weekend with a record of 7-9 overall and 4-8 in league play. Bemidji State is averaging 65.2 points per game on 42% shooting. Three Beavers are scoring in double-figures led by Trinity Myer at 13.4 ppg. Taylor Bray (10.1 ppg) and Rachael Heittola (10.0 ppg) are close behind in the scoring column. Brooklyn Bachmann, as well as Myer and Heittola, average over five rebounds per game to lead the team. Claire Wolhowe has been deadly from deep with a 3-point percentage of 46%. Myer also leads BSU in assists with 63. Sydney Zerr has been stellar defensively with 24 steals to pace the team.
Minnesota Crookston- The Golden Eagles of Minnesota Crookston are 2-14 overall and 1-11 in the NSIC. Abby Guidinger is the only UMC player that averages double-digit points at 10.1 ppg. As a team, the Golden Eagles score just under 60 points per game. Sophomore forward Bren Fox leads UMC on the glass with 85 total rebounds and 7.1 per game. Julia Peplisnki also snares over five boards per game on average. Freshman guard Emma Carpenter leads Crookston with 30 assists. Kylie Post, another sophomore, has a team-high 18 steals.