Beavers open NSIC schedule at Golden Eagles Thursday

The 2019-20 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference schedule begins Thursday, Nov. 21 as Bemidji State University men’s basketball travels to take on University of Minnesota Crookston. The Beavers and Golden Eagles tip-off at 6 p.m. in Lysaker Gymnasium for the first of two season meetings.

Bemidji State leads the all-time series against Minnesota Crookston, 49-18. The Golden Eagles have made the series competitive over the last five seasons as both teams have won five of 10 games since the 2014-15 season. The 2018-19 season series was split between both programs, each taking a win on their home court. BSU took the first game of the series, 96-95, Dec. 1, 2018 while UMC won the final meeting of the season, 72-51, Dec. 30, 2018.

The Beavers won the most recent meeting, 89-52, on Nov. 17, 2015 in Bemidji, Minn.

Senior forward Logan Bader averaged 14.0 points per game shooting 39.3 percent from the floor last season against Minnesota Crookston, including a 21-point game during BSU’s win. Senior guard Ja Morgan also averaged double-digit scoring against the Golden Eagles along with 6.5 assists per game while recording his first career double-double with 16 points and 10 assists in BSU’s win. Junior forward Derek Thompson also recorded a double-double in that game with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

The series began Jan. 13, 1922, a 21-15 win by Minnesota Crookston. UMC won seven of the first 10 games of the series. BSU’s longest winning streak against UMC was 13 games from Dec. 6, 2008 until Nov. 29, 2014.

BSU enters the NSIC opener after a record-breaking, 127-60 win over Martin Luther College on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. The Beavers’ 127 points set a program record for most points scored in a single game. Including its exhibition win over Mayville State University, Bemidji State has topped 100 points of offense in each game while limiting each opponent to just 60 points. Junior guard Nick Wagner scored a career-high 32 points against MLC on 12-of-17 shooting from the field and 6-of-11 from 3-point range. Morgan was two points shy of his career high with 26 points on 10-of-14 shooting while adding seven assists, six rebounds and three steals. Junior guard Jacob Hoffman also reached double-digit scoring in the starting lineup with 17 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the field.

As a team, BSU shot 67.1 percent from the field, 50.0 percent from 3-point range and pulled down 56 rebounds. The Beavers’ defense held the Knights to 30.4 percent shooting and 31 rebounds while turning 16 turnovers into 18 points.