Beavers return home opening four-game homestand against No. 2/3 Minnesota State, Winona State

Bemidji State coming off another exciting last-second win, this time at Sioux Falls

The Bemidji State University Men’s Basketball team recorded their third last-second victory this past Saturday and will look to carry that momentum into a four-game homestand that starts this Friday against No. 2/3 Minnesota State at 5:30 p.m. The Beavers will also host Winona State on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. inside the BSU Gym.

Bemidji State (9-5, 5-3 NSIC) used a last-second three-pointer by Johnny Tennyson to take the 75-74 road victory at Sioux Falls last time out. That marked the third game-winning basket in the closing seconds as the Beavers also edged St. Cloud State and Minnesota Crookston this year in the final second.

Head coach Mike Boschee collected win number 144 at Bemidji State, putting him just four wins from becoming the winningest coach in program history. John Sutherland is tied for 10th on the program career rebounding list with 507. His 1,111 career points at BSU is 18th in program history. Dalton Albrecht is closing in on 1,000 career points, currently at 956. Albrecht is 51 rebounds away from breaking into the top-10 for career rebounds, currently at 456.

BSU will carry a 5-0 record at home into this week’s home matches. The Beavers were last at home on Dec. 14 defeating UMary by a score of 78-62.

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Bemidji State averages 79.8 points and allows 69.9 points per game. The Beavers have made 418-888 (47.1) from the field, 123-370 (33.2) from three and 158-233 (67.8) at the foul line. Opponents are making 366-842 (43.5) from the field, 99-310 (31.9) from three and 148-215 (68.8) at the foul line.

John Sutherland leads the way averaging 20.8 points and 8.6 rebounds. He is making almost 60 percent (124-208) from the field. He leads the team in field goals, free throws (43), assists (57) and blocks (6). Dalton Albrecht continues to average a double-double with 16.6 points and 10.6 rebounds. He adds 23 three-pointers and is second on the team with 84 field goals made. BJ Davis is third on the team averaging 8.5 points and has 23 three-pointers. Brayden Williams is at 8.1 points, leads the team with 24 three-pointers, leads the team with 16 steals and has 39 assists.

Bemidji State leads the NSIC and is ranked sixth nationally in rebound margin (9.0), and offensive rebounds per game (11.93). BSU is second in rebounds per game (69.9), which ranks 22nd nationally, and third in defensive rebounds per game (28.79), to rank 15th nationally.

Sutherland leads the NSIC in field goal percentage (59.6), which ranks 34th nationally, field goals made (124), which is third nationally, and in offensive rebounds per game (3.29), to rank 25th nationally. He ranks 17th nationally in points (291), 23rd in point per game (20.8), 26th in rebounds (120), 25th in offensive rebounds per game (3.29) and 37th in rebounds per game (8.6). Albrecht leads the NSIC in double-double (8), to rank third nationally, in rebounds (148), which ranks fifth nationally, defensive rebounds per game (7.50), to rank fourth nationally, and rebounds per game (10.6), which is eighth nationally. He also ranks 39th nationally in offensive rebounds per game (3.07).

Bemidji State will see one of the top teams not only in the NSIC, but in the nation on Friday against Minnesota State. The Mavericks are 14-0 overall and 8-0 in NSIC play, going 6-0 away from home and 4-0 in true road contests. MSU played just once last week defeating Northern State by a score of 81-66 in Mankato to move to No. 2 and No. 3 in the national polls. Their last road game was on Dec. 14 defeating then No. 24 Winona State, 89-64.

The Mavericks average 92.6 points and allow 70.6 points per game. Minnesota State makes 468-920 (50.9) from the field, 139-347 (40.1) from three and 221-287 (77) at the foul line. Opponents make 374-899 (41.6) from the field, 89-303 (29.4) from three and 151-204 (74) at the foul line.

Malik Willingham leads the way averaging 19.2 points, along with 60 assists. He has connected on 35 three-pointers. Justin Eagins adds 13.6 points and 37 three-pointers. Kyreese Willingham tallies 12.7 points and is shooting over 54 percent from the field. Dylan Peeters adds 11.2 points and 7.4 rebounds while the fifth starter Elijah Hazekamp is averaging 11 points and 5.3 rebounds, along with 24 three-pointers.

Minnesota State holds a 42-16 series record since 1960, with Bemidji State winning last year’s meeting in Bemidji by a score of 79-69. That was the first meeting in Bemidji since 2019, as the teams played five straight in Mankato. These two teams will play again in the regular season finale on Feb. 24 in Mankato.

BSU will matchup with Winona State on Saturday. The Warriors are 9-5 overall and 4-4 in NSIC play, going 4-2 away from home and 2-2 in true road contests. This past week, Winona State lost in a tight game to Northern State, 77-75, on Jan. 6 and defeated Crown College on Jan. 2, 90-69.

Winona State averages 71.4 points and allows 68.2 points. The Warriors are making 362-793 (45.6) from the field, 121-344 (35.2) from three and 154-212 (72.6) at the foul line. Opponents are making 339-786 (43.1) from the field, 108-317 (34.1) from three and 169-214 (79) at the foul line.

Connor Dillon leads the way averaging 21.9 points and 4.4 rebounds. He has made 121 field goals and 33 three-pointers. Olumide Adelodun is at 14 points and five rebounds in three games this season. Connor Drew tallies 11.8 points and 22 three-pointers.

Winona State is 80-58 against Bemidji State since 1950, with the Beavers winning last year’s meeting in Winona by a score of 65-61. That snapped a three-game winning streak in the series for the Warriors. The two teams will see each other again in Winona on Feb. 23.

Entering this week, Minnesota State and MSU Moorhead lead the NSIC with 8-0 records. Minot State is third at 6-2, with Minnesota Duluth and Southwest Minnesota State tied for fourth at 6-3. Bemidji State is sixth at 5-3. Winona State and Northern State are tied for seventh at 4-4.

Friday’s game against Minnesota State will be a Food Drive. Fans are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food to the game to support Bucky’s Pantry on campus. The first 75 students into the game on Friday will receive BSU swag!

Following the two home games this week, the homestand will continue on Jan. 19-20 against Augustana and Wayne State inside the BSU Gym.