Beavers return home to begin NSIC play against Minot State and Minnesota Crookston

BSU enters week 4-2 overall

The Bemidji State University Men’s Basketball team returns from Florida to host Minot State this Friday and Minnesota Crookston this Saturday at the BSU Gym to begin Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play. BSU will face Minot State at 5:30 p.m. on Friday and then the Golden Eagles on Saturday beginning at 3:30 p.m.

Bemidji State (4-2) went 1-1 during their trip to Florida cruising to the 76-54 win against Tampa and then nearly coming back against Eckerd before falling short, 75-73.

The Beavers average 83.8 points per game and allow 59.0 points. BSU has made 198-416 (47.6) from the field, 54-181 (29.8) from three and 53-94 (56.4) at the foul line. Opponents have made 135-341 (39.6) from the field, 23-100 (23) from three and 61-93 (65.6) at the foul line.

John Sutherland is averaging 2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, while making 57-86 (66.3) from the field. He is also tied for second on the team with 15 assists. Dalton Albrecht is averaging a double-double with 17.3 points and 12 rebounds. He is making over 50 percent from the field (38-75) and leads the team with 13 made three-pointers. Colin Schaefer averages 9.2 points and leads the team with 23 assists. He has connected on 21-43 (48.8) from the field and is tied for the team lead with eight steals. Johnny Tennyson (7.8), John Pecarich (7.5), Brayden Williams (7.0) and Jobe Juenemann (7.0) all average at least seven points per game.

Bemidji State enters the week leading the NSIC in rebound margin (17.5), which also leads the nation. Offensive rebounds per game (16.3), which ranks sixth nationally. Overall rebounds per game (47.67), which also leads the nation. Three-point field goal percentage on defense (23), which ranks fifth in the nation. The Beavers also rank high nationally in defensive rebounds per game (31.3), which is second in the nation. Assist-to-turnover ratio (1.52), which is good for 20th nationally and overall field goal percentage on defense (39.6), which is 29th nationally.

Individually, Albrecht leads the NSIC and is tied for the national lead in double-doubles with five. He leads the NSIC and ranks fourth nationally in rebounds per game (12). Albrecht also leads the NSIC and is sixth nationally in overall rebounds (72) and leads the NSIC and is fourth nationally in offensive rebounds per game (4.67). Sutherland leads the NSIC and is fifth nationally in field goals made (57) and ranks 32nd nationally in points scored (126). Schaefer is third in the NSIC in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.56).

First up will be Minot State on Friday night. The Beavers from North Dakota are 4-1 on the season with wins against Rogers State, Newman, Minnesota Crookston and Jamestown. They opened NSIC play against the Golden Eagles in Crookston back on Nov. 21. Their only loss was at Montana State Billings.

Minot State averages 79.4 points and allows 64.8 points. MSU makes 144-304 (47.4) from the field, 47-116 (40.5) from three and 62-80 (77.5) from the foul line. Opponents make 124-280 (44.3) from the field, 40-114 (35.1) from three and 36-57 (63.2) at the foul line.

Khari Broadway leads Minot State averaging 14.2 points and five rebounds per game. He adds 14 assists and 10 steals to tie for the team lead. In two games, Jalen Cook is averaging 11.5 points. He is followed by a trio of starters that average in double figures in scoring. Ben Bohl is at 11 points and both Jaxon Gunville and Connor Hollenbeck each add 10.6 points per game.

Minot State holds the slight 12-11 series advantage since 2011. Bemidji State has won the last three meetings that included sweeping last year’s two games. BSU has won the last two meetings in Bemidji. These two teams will see each other again in Minot on Feb. 1.

To close the conference opening weekend, Bemidji State will host Minnesota Crookston. The Golden Eagles are 3-3 overall and 0-1 in NSIC play. Minnesota Crookston has wins against East Central, Oklahoma Baptist and Wisconsin Parkside. Last time out, UMC fell by a score of 79-67 at home against Minot State on Nov. 21.

Minnesota Crookston is averaging 68.8 points and allowing 71.7. The Golden Eagles make 148-315 (47) from the field, 46-117 (39.3) from three and 71-116 (61.2) at the foul line. Opponents are connecting on 150-367 (40.9) from the field, 51-147 (34.7) from three and 79-110 (71.8) at the foul line.

The Golden Eagles have used just an eight-player rotation so far this season with the same starting lineup. Blaize Sagna leads the team at 21 points and 3.7 rebounds. Reid Grant adds 16.2 points and 23 assists. Aguek Deng is close to a double-double with 8.3 points and 10.3 rebounds.

Bemidji State is 46-12 against Minnesota Crookston since 1994 and have won the last three meetings. The Beavers swept the two meetings last year. BSU has won six straight in Bemidji, with the last loss at home happening during the 2017-18 season. BSU will see Minnesota Crookston again on the road on Feb. 8.

Live video and stats will be available for both games. Live video can be found here and live stats can be found here. Beaver Radio Network will also cover both games and a link to the broadcast can be found here. Bemidji State went to cashless tickets for the new season. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets ahead of time on HomeTown Tickets and can be found here.

Following this weekend’s home series, Bemidji State will travel to MSU Moorhead and Northern State next Friday (Dec. 8) and Saturday (Dec. 9).