Evyn Eppinga's 23, five 3-pointers lead Bemidji State over Winona State

Evyn Eppinga took over late and finished with 23 points as Bemidji State held off Winona State for a 72-65 victory at the John Glas Fieldhouse on Saturday, Jan. 24. Eppinga, a redshirt freshman, made five long-range shots and went 5-for-10 from beyond the arc, providing the Beavers the lift they needed after a sluggish offensive effort in the previous game.

Bemidji State opened strong, maintained a cushion through the middle quarters, and absorbed a Winona State push in the fourth to close out the seven-point win. Kassandra Caron paced the supporting cast with 13 points, led the team with four assists and tied for the team lead with eight rebounds. Olivia Plasch added 14 points, Sara Fineday contributed nine, and Madeline Heyer chipped in seven.

The box score highlighted a balanced attack anchored by Eppinga’s 3-point efficiency. Eppinga’s five triples accounted for a substantial share of Bemidji State’s scoring from distance and shifted defensive attention, opening space for Caron and Plasch to operate inside the arc. The Beavers’ ability to convert from long range contrasted with the prior game’s poor offensive showing and will be a focal point for Bemidji State as the season progresses.

The win at the John Glas Fieldhouse resonated across Beltrami County. Home victories like this drive foot traffic to nearby businesses on game nights and bolster community engagement on campus. For students and season-ticket holders, Evyn Eppinga’s breakout shooting performance provides optimism about depth and perimeter scoring as Bemidji State navigates conference play.

From a sports-economics perspective, consistent home success can increase average attendance and ancillary revenue for the athletic department through concessions and merchandise, and it can improve recruiting narratives that matter to local support and fundraising. On the court, the Beavers’ revived offensive rhythm reduces pressure on the defense and gives coach staff more lineup flexibility.

Bemidji State’s balanced scoring and Eppinga’s emergence offer a clear takeaway for local fans: perimeter shooting can change game dynamics quickly, and the Beavers showed they can respond after a poor outing. The result leaves Bemidji State with momentum heading into the remainder of the schedule and gives Beltrami County supporters reason to expect tighter, more competitive conference play from the Beavers moving forward.