Beavers near perfect home record to be tested by Mustangs and Cougars

Bemidji State finish play against NSIC South Division this weekend

The Bemidji State University Men’s Basketball team tests its 8-1 home record as its hosts Southwest Minnesota State University and University of Sioux Falls this weekend for Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play at the BSU Gymnasium. Action starts Friday at 5:30 p.m., as the Beavers welcome the Mustangs, followed by the Cougars Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

The Series vs Southwest Minnesota State
· SMSU leads the all-time series against Bemidji State, 54-42.
· The Beavers and Mustangs last met on Jan. 22, 2022, with a 72-64 win by SMSU in Marshall, Minn.
· Bemidji State leads the series 27-21 when playing in Bemidji, Minn.
· BSU and SMSU first met Dec. 7, 1968, a 74-60 win by SMSU.

The Series vs Sioux Falls
· Sioux Falls leads the all-time series against Bemidji State, 6-4.
· The Beavers and Cougars last met Jan. 21, 2022, with a 72-65 win by USF in Sioux Falls, S.D.
· Sioux Falls leads the series 2-3 when playing in Bemidji, Minn.
· BSU and USF first met Nov. 20, 2011, with a 68-49 win by Bemidji State.

The Beavers dropped their first game of the weekend against Wayne State College 53-68 but returned to their winning ways topping Augustana University 89-85.

BSU is 8-2 in its last 10 games and go into the weekend with a home record of 8-1.

Bemidji State sits eighth in the conference and fourth in NSIC North Division. The Beavers will be facing SMSU and USF who both are 9-5 in the NSIC and tied for first in the NSIC South.

John Sutherland has put up a double-double in his last three games. Sutherland has recorded eight this season with his most recent against Wayne State (14p/12r) and Augustana (22p/10r).

In the first half against Augustana, Brayden Williams scored 17 points and was perfect from deep with five three points. He was held quiet in the second half until he put the game away with a pair of free throws in the final seconds.

The Beavers made 16 three pointers against Augustana, second most this season. Joining Williams five was Johnny Tennyson and Mohamed Kone with three, Sutherland with two and Dalton Albrecht, RJ Smith, and Brandon Christlieb all added one.

Bemidji State has shot 50% or better in half of its games this season, shooting 49.8% on the season. BSU ranks first in the NSIC and 18th in Division II in shooting percentage.

Sutherland leads the Beavers in scoring with 346 points and is sixth in the conference averaging 19.2 ppg. Sutherland’s shooting percentage of 61.0% leads the NSIC and is ranked 21st in the nation.

In rebounding, Sutherland is on top for Bemidji State as well with 163 rebounds, 9.1 rebounds per game and is second in the conference just behind Nick Reid of Upper Iowa University.

Bemidji State dropped to fifth in the NSIC averaging 79.5 points per game but first and fifth is only separated by 0.7 ppg away from first. The Beavers are ranked 12th in scoring defense allowing 76.2 points per game.

The Beavers are 15th in turnovers and are 12th in assist to turnover ratio with a 1.04 ratio.