Bemidji State upends Winona State 81-74

I first started at the Bemidji (Minn.) Pioneer as an intern in the summer of 1996. That would begin six years as a news reporter, sports reporter and copy editor for a small, six-day-per-week daily newspaper in northern Minnesota. I wrote a large range of stories from multiple beats, to features to sports, my favorite being the coverage of the Red Lake Reservation High School basketball team named the Warriors. Here is a collection of my stories from my time at the Pioneer.

Feb. 4, 1999

By Devlyn Brooks

The Beavers' Erin Walker sank 13 straight points to ice a 16-minute second half rally, giving BSU an 81-74 victory over Winona State Wednesday night at BSU Gymnasium.

The win ended the Beavers' five-game conference skid in which they lost to five of the other seven Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference teams -- a majority of which they lost by double digits.

But Wednesday was a flashback to a Beaver team that won Florida's Orland Magic women's basketball tournament in December and a team that was ranked ninth in the region.

"I think it was a good win for the kids ... a nice overall effort," Beavers head coach Doreen Zierer said. "You have to give the kids a lot of credit that they have played through all of the trouble."

The Beavers had contributions from everywhere on the floor versus Winona, as Walker poured in 30 points and post players Denise Schinkoeth had 12 and Peggy Hammel had 11.

Hammel also grabbed 10 rebounds, giving her her fifth double-double of the season.

But overall, the spotlight shined on the Beavers' front court Wednesday, turning the table on the Warriors, who tremendously rely on their post play.

"Sometimes it's a matter of matchups, and we match up well with a team who plays inside," Zierer said. "But it was two things we did well. We got (the posts) the ball, and they did good things with the ball."

Walker continued her scorching scoring pace shooting 7-of-8 and 3-of-4 for treys in the second half to finish 10-of-16 and 3-of-7.

In fact, in a four minute stretch in the second half, Walker sank 13 straight Beaver points to build a three-point lead into a 10-point lead.

"It was a matter of hustle and heart, and Bemidji had more of it," Warriors coach Terri Sheridan said.