Megan Topping/MDN
MSU senior guard Sydney Gustavsson (21) skillfully maneuvering the ball against Bemidji State during a home game on Saturday, December 7, at the MSU Dome.
MSU Women’s Basketball Triumphs Over Bemidji State
The Minot State University (MSU) women’s basketball team showcased a commanding performance against Bemidji State, restricting their opponents to a mere 19 percent from beyond the arc during their 57-47 home victory on Saturday. The game highlighted MSU’s strong defensive strategy, which proved effective throughout the match.
Standout Performers
Maya Aguilar led the charge for the Beavers (2-8, 1-2) with an impressive 20-point effort. Contributing to the scoreline, Jessica Mogen netted nine points coupled with two steals, while Emma Mogen added nine points and secured six rebounds off the bench.
Rebounding and Defense
In terms of rebounding, MSU had the upper hand with a 41-36 advantage, largely due to Lara Dobbins, who grabbed six boards. MSU’s defensive prowess was evident as they limited Bemidji State to just 30.8 percent shooting overall, while also dominating the defensive glass with 32 defensive rebounds, allowing only seven second-chance points to their opponents.
Game Progression
The game commenced with an early tie at 5-5 before MSU found their rhythm, launching a 7-0 run to establish a 12-5 lead, capped by Aguilar’s basket. Although Bemidji State fought to close the gap, MSU maintained a narrow 17-15 lead at the end of the first quarter, with non-starters contributing seven of the total points.
Continuing the momentum, MSU extended their lead to 30-19, including a 5-0 surge highlighted by a three-pointer from Emma Mogen, ultimately heading into halftime with a 35-23 advantage. In the second quarter, MSU excelled from long range, hitting four three-point shots that tallied for 12 of their 18 points in that period.
The second half saw MSU sustain their lead, initiating a 6-0 run that pushed their advantage to 50-37 by the end of the third quarter, thanks to ten points scored in the paint. Despite a more challenging fourth quarter, Minot State held firm, finishing the game with one successful long-range shot to close out the scoring.
Conclusion
This victory not only marked a significant win for the Minot State women’s basketball team but also highlighted the contributions of its key players and the effective defensive strategy employed throughout the game. As the season progresses, fans eagerly await more thrilling performances from the Beavers.
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