BSU Men’s Basketball returns from winter break to play at Southwest Minnesota State and Sioux Falls
Beavers play two on the road before opening four-game homestand next week
The Bemidji State University Men’s Basketball team concluded the 2023 calendar year in style with a double overtime win at St. Cloud State. The Beavers return to action this Friday at Southwest Minnesota State beginning at 5:30 p.m. before concluding the trip on Saturday afternoon at Sioux Falls starting at 3:30 p.m.
Bemidji State (8-4, 4-2 NSIC) went into the winter break with a thrilling 103-102 double overtime win at St. Cloud State. BSU opened the week two days before that pulling away from UMary for the 78-62 win.
The Beavers are tied for fourth in the NSIC standings with Minot State. Minnesota State leads the conference at 7-0, followed by MSU Moorhead in second at 6-0 and Minnesota Duluth rounds out the top three at 5-2.
Head coach Mike Boschee moved to second on the all-time program wins list with 143 at St. Cloud State. Boschee is now just five wins from becoming the all-time winningest coach in program history. Dalton Albrecht is just 64 points from 1,000 in his career at Bemidji State.
Bemidji State is averaging 81.4 points and allowing 68.6 points. The Beavers have made 367-783 (46.9) from the field, 106-326 (32.5) from three and 137-208 (65.9) from the foul line. Opponents have made 302-715 (42.2) from the field, 80-258 (31) from three and 139-200 (69.5) at the foul line.
John Sutherland is averaging 20.3 points and 9.1 rebounds, while shooting 58 percent (105-181) from the field. He adds a team-best 48 assists and five blocks. Dalton Albrecht continues to average a double-double with 17.8 points and 11.1 rebounds. He is making almost 50 percent (78-159) from the field and has 20 three-pointers. Brayden Williams is at 8.3 points, leading the team with 22 three-pointers.
The Beavers lead the NSIC in rebound margin (10.7), to rank third nationally, defensive rebounds per game (30.25), fifth nationally, offensive rebounds per game (12.58), and rebounds per game (42.83), fifth nationally. BSU ranks 27th nationally in scoring margin (12.8).
Individually, Albrecht leads the NSIC in double-doubles (8) to rank second nationally, he also leads the conference in rebounds (133), sixth nationally, defensive rebounds per game (7.75), fourth nationally, offensive rebounds per game (3.33) and rebounds per game (11.1), eighth nationally. Sutherland is second in the NSIC in double-doubles (4), 27th nationally, field goal percentage (58), field goals (105), fifth nationally, rebounds (109), 18th nationally, and rebounds per game (9.1), to come in 30th nationally. Sutherland ranks 24th nationally in points (243) and 30th nationally in offensive rebounds per game (3.25).
Bemidji State enters the week 3-4 away from home this season and 1-3 in true road contests. BSU will face Southwest Minnesota State first on Friday evening. The Mustangs are 7-6 overall and 4-3 in NSIC play, posting a 2-1 mark at home.
Southwest Minnesota State closed NSIC play with a win over Augustana on Dec. 16. Since then, they played two games on Dec. 18 and 19 falling to both Lake Superior State and Maryville (Mo.). SMSU has won three straight conference games, including a big 85-72 home win against Minnesota Duluth.
The Mustangs average 72.5 points and allow 71.5. SMSU is making 334-720 (46.4) from the field, 96-269 (35.7) from three and 178-232 (76.7) at the foul line. Opponents are making 328-760 (43.2) from the field, 121-325 (37.2) from three and 153-201 (76.1) from the foul line.
Jake Phipps is averaging 15.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. He is making almost 56 percent (81-145) from the field. Cliff Cofield adds 14 points and is shooting 50 percent (63-126) from the field.
Southwest Minnesota State is 54-43 in the series against Bemidji State since 1968. BSU won the only meeting last year in Bemidji by a score of 83-76 on Jan. 27. The Beavers have lost the last four meetings in Marshall, last winning on the road in 2013-14 by a score of 91-82.
BSU will close the trip at Sioux Falls on Saturday afternoon. The Cougars are 6-7 overall and 3-4 in NSIC play. They hold a 4-1 mark at home. Sioux Falls won their last NSIC game before the break defeating Wayne State 70-62 on Dec. 16. Since then, they faced Mount Marty on Dec. 19 claiming the 86-39 victory.
Sioux Falls is averaging 73.8 points and allowing 68.9 points. The Cougars have made 348-801 (43.4) from the field, 111-295 (37.6) from three and 152-221 (68.8) at the foul line. Opponents have made 320-747 (42.8) from the field, 72-251 (28.7) from three and 184-242 (76) at the foul line.
Jack Thompson leads the way averaging 13.2 points and 55 assists. Shawn Warrior adds 12 points and 5.5 rebounds.
Sioux Falls is 7-4 in the series against Bemidji State since 2011 and have won the last three meetings. Last year, the teams played an overtime thriller in Bemidji with Sioux Falls claiming the 76-75 victory on Jn. 28. The teams have split the last two meetings in Sioux Falls with the Cougars winning in 2022 and the Beavers winning in 2019.
Following the road trip this week, Bemidji State returns home to open a four-game homestand starting on Friday, January 12 against Minnesota State starting at 5:30 p.m. inside the BSU Gym.