Beavers slip after first half woes to Huskies, 96-62

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A first-half outburst sank Bemidji State University men’s basketball Saturday afternoon in a 96-62 loss to St. Cloud State University at BSU Gymnasium. Four Beavers (4-4, 1-2 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference) scored in double-digits for the second consecutive night but could not overcome a 35-point halftime deficit to the Huskies (5-2, 2-0 NSIC).

The opening four minutes of action was a synopsis of Bemidji State’s first half as the team fell down 14-0 while missing its first six shots of the game. Senior guard Sharif Black limited the damage as he converted his first 3-pointer of the night. After another five minutes had passed, the Huskies were able to go on another run to go up by 20 points for the first time during the night, 28-8.

Bemidji State was held to 23.1 percent shooting in the first half, despite 10 first-half points from Black. St. Cloud State was able to convert 57.9 percent of its shots in the opening period while also winning the rebound margin, 29-10, to go up 55-20 at halftime.

Through the second half, St. Cloud State held on to the large lead by at least 27 points. The Beavers’ closest margin to the Huskies was at the 13:35 mark in the second half, 64-37.

Bemidji State shot 33.3 percent from the field on the night but were outscored by just one point in the second half. St. Cloud State finished the game shooting 55.6 percent from the field and 40.9 percent from beyond the arc. The Huskies also won the rebound margin, 46-31, including 15 offensive rebounds.

Four Beavers scored in double-digits, including the trio of Black, Jacob McNallan and Lucas Wendt at 14 points apiece. Jai’Vionne Green also added 12 points and four rebounds.

Bemidji State makes another NSIC road trip Friday Dec. 8-9 as it travels to face Northern State University and Minnesota State University Moorhead. The Beavers open the weekend Friday against the Wolves at 8 p.m. from Aberdeen, S.D., followed by a 6 p.m. tip-off Saturday against the Dragons from Moorhead, Minn.