Bemidji State to play at No. 19 Minot State, host No. 12/9 MSU Moorhead this week

The Bemidji State University Men’s Basketball team will face another challenging week playing at No. 19 Minot State on Thursday beginning at 7:30 p.m. and then hosting No. 12/9 MSU Moorhead on Saturday starting at 3 p.m.

Bemidji State (10-10, 6-8 NSIC) ran into a pair of tough road matchups last week. The Beavers just fell short at Concordia-St. Paul (92-84) and then Minnesota Duluth was able to pull away with a late first half run for the 90-71 victory. John Sutherland tallied 26 points and six rebounds against the Bulldogs. Dalton Albrecht added 17 points and eight rebounds.

Head coach Mike Boschee is at 145 wins during his time at Bemidji State, putting him just three wins from becoming the winningest coach in program history. Sutherland’s 1,227 career points is currently 10th on the all-time program scoring list. His 546 rebounds ranks ninth in program history. Albrecht 1,045 career points is just 12 from landing in the top-19 in program history. His 512 rebounds ranks 10th on the program all-time list.

Bemidji State is averaging 79.5 points and allowing 74.7. BSU is making 594-1,270 (46.8) from the field, 175-516 (33.9) from three and 226-331 (68.3) at the foul line. Opponents are making 559-1,233 (45.3) from the field, 152-458 (33.2) from three and 223-325 (68.6) at the foul line.

Sutherland is averaging 20.4 points and eight rebounds, along with a team-best 80 assists and has 11 steals and 10 blocks. He has made 176-295 (59.7) from the field. Albrecht averages a double-double with 16.1 points and 10.2 rebounds. He also has 11 steals and has made 31 three-pointers. He recently eclipsed 100 field goals on the season sitting at 118. BJ Davis tallies 9.3 points and has connected on 35 three-pointers. He has 41 assists and 11 steals. Brayden Williams returned to the lineup and averages 8.1 points and 3.9 rebounds, along with 50 assists and a team-best 17 steals.

Bemidji State leads the NSIC in rebound margin (7.0), which ranks 13th nationally and in offensive rebounds per game (12.35). BSU ranks in the top-three in the NSIC in a couple of other categories including assists per game (16.2), second in the conference, rebounds per game (39.85), second in the conference and 31st nationally, and third in the conference in defensive rebounds per game (27.50). BSU ranks 36th nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.36).

Individually, Sutherland continues to lead the nation in field goals (176). He also leads the NSIC and ranks 22nd nationally in field goal percentage (59.7). He ranks second in the conference in assists (80), assists per game (4.0), and in offensive rebounds per game (2.90). Sutherland is 13th nationally in points (407), 21st in points per game (20.4), and 37th nationally in rebounds (159). Albrecht continues to lead the NSIC and ranks sixth nationally in double-doubles (10), first in the NSIC and eighth nationally in rebounds (204), first in the NSIC and 11th nationally in defensive rebounds per game (7.20), and first in the NSIC and 12th nationally in rebounds per game (10.2). Albrecht ranks 33rd nationally in offensive rebounds per game (3.0). Williams leads the NSIC in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.38).

First up will be a road game at Minot State this Thursday. MSU is 16-4 overall and 11-3 in NSIC play. Their seven-game winning streak was snapped this past Thursday with a road loss at Augustana (77-67). MSU regrouped to win at Wayne State this past Saturday (71-60).

Minot State is 9-1 at home this season, with the only loss being by three points to MSU Moorhead. Minot State is averaging 79.3 points and allowing 67.3 points. MSU is making 593-1,234 (48.1) from the field, 169-442 (38.2) from three and 231-302 (76.5) at the foul line. Opponents are making 490-1,169 (41.9) from the field, 162-484 (33.5) from three and 203-300 (67.7) at the foul line.

Khari Broadway leads the way averaging 14.6 points and 3.8 rebounds. He adds 57 assists and 25 steals. Jaxon Gunville adds 10.9 points and 55 three-pointers. Connor Hollenbeck is at 10.9 points and seven rebounds. Ben Bohl tallies 9.3 points.

BSU opened the conference slate defeating Minot State, 88-77, back on Dec. 1 in Bemidji. Williams led Bemidji State with 21 points, with Daxton Dayley adding 19 points. Sutherland went for a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds, while Albrecht also went for a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds.

Bemidji State and Minot State are tied in the series at 12 wins apiece since 2011. BSU has won the last four meetings and are 4-8 at Minot State in the series. BSU won three of the last four meetings in Bemidji with the other winning coming in Minot during the 2022-23 season.

The Beavers will close the week hosting No. 12/9 MSU Moorhead. The Dragons are 18-3 overall and 12-3 in NSIC play, going 11-2 away from home this season and 8-2 in true road contests. MSU Moorhead snapped a two-game losing streak this past Tuesday defeating Minnesota Crookston, 76-49. The Dragons have lost their last two games on the road.

MSU Moorhead is averaging 79.8 points and allowing 71.7 points. The Dragons are making 594-1,334 (44.5) from the field, 143-443 (32.3) from three and 345-465 (74.2) at the foul line. Opponents are making 573-1,259 (45.5) from the field, 115-351 (32.8) from three and 244-355 (68.7) at the foul line.

Jacob Beeninga leads the way averaging 18.2 points, 64 assists and 22 steals. He has made 51 three-pointers and 94 free throws. JaMir Price is averaging 13.7 points and 44 assists, but has missed the past few games. Logan Kinsey is at 11.5 points and 5.1 rebounds, with Ja’Kair Sanchez tallying 11.3 points and 30 assists. Dane Zimmer is close to averaging a double-double with 9.5 points and 9.1 rebounds.

MSU Moorhead held off a tough challenge from the Beavers during their first meeting back on Dec. 8 claiming the 82-74 victory. Sutherland posted a double-double with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Albrecht added 20 points and Dayley with 10 points.

MSU Moorhead leads the series 87-56 against Bemidji State since 1950 with the Dragons winning the last two meetings. BSU defeated then No. 23 MSU Moorhead last February in Bemidji by a score of 88-87. The teams then met in the NSIC Tournament later that season with MSU Moorhead hitting a game-winning shot for the 78-77 victory.

Following the games this week, BSU will host Northern State on Tuesday (Feb. 6) at 7:30 p.m. and then play at Minnesota Crookston next Thursday (Feb. 8) at 7:30 p.m.

A look around the NSIC standings has Minnesota State in first at 13-2. MSU Moorhead is second at 12-3, with Minot State rounding out the top-three at 11-3. Minnesota Duluth is fourth at 11-4, Southwest Minnesota State is fifth at 9-5 and Augustana and Sioux Falls are tied for sixth at 8-6. Winona State is eighth at 8-7 and Bemidji State is ninth at 6-8.