BEMIDJI, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Morris Women's Basketball team played game one in a double-header with the men's team. The Cougars fell in a devastating loss to the Bemidji State Beavers to go 0-5 so far in the season.

Things started slow for Minnesota Morris as their first points came over two minutes into the game from Claire Stark. A put-back in the paint from Shelby Mortenson gave the Cougars four points to the Beaver's eleven. Maddy Grove made a jumper in the paint, quickly followed with a jumper from Stark, to keep Minnesota Morris in the game trailing 8-16 with five minutes left. The two teams traded points for the remainder of the half with the Cougars managing to keep the game close. An unfortunate turnover and made layup gave the Beavers their largest lead of 27-14 at the end of the first quarter. 

Bemidji State kicked off the scoring in the second quarter, but Itzel Salazar drove into the paint for a layup to answer right back. Anna Myers responded to the Beaver's next points with a made bucket from beyond the arc to keep things close. Points continued to go back and forth, and the Cougars were able to keep the score of the second quarter 12-12 to head into halftime trailing 26-39. 

The Cougars kept the game close to start out the third quarter with a jumper from Mortenson and a layup from Stark as well as a made three-pointer. With five minutes to go in the quarter, the Beavers started to slip away from Minnesota Morris. Out scoring the Cougars 6-2 in the final five minutes of the third quarter, Bemidji state lengthened their lead to a commanding 23 points and a score of 58-35. 

Katelyn Lindberg knocked down two from the charity stripe to open up the scoring for Minnesota Morris in the final quarter of this matchup. A jumper from Stark and two free throws from Grove brought the Cougars back to within twenty. Scoring remained back and forth, and both teams responded to made buckets almost immediately. Unfortunately, Minnesota Morris was unable to out score the Beavers in the fourth quarter and Bemidji State held a 79–51 lead when the final buzzer sounded. 

Stark led Minnesota Morris in scoring with twelve points on the day in addition to four rebounds and a block. Grove earned ten points with one steal and a rebound, going 4-4 from the line. Salazar was fierce on offense for the Cougars, attacking in the lane and earning eight points and four defensive rebounds. Mortenson came away from the day with a team high of eight rebounds and tacked on six points for Minnesota Morris. 

The Cougars will return to action on their home court Nov. 23 against St. Olaf College. The matchup is scheduled for a 2pm tip-off.