Beavers host Northern State on Tuesday, play at Minnesota Crookston on Thursday

BSU enters final six games of NSIC season

The Bemidji State University Men’s Basketball team will play a couple of important conference games this week hosting Northern State on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. and playing at Minnesota Crookston on Thursday starting at 7:30 p.m. in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play.

Bemidji State (10-12, 6-10 NSIC) comes off a pair of close games this past week. The Beavers just fell short in the battle of the Beavers at Minot on Thursday (62-58) and then held a late lead against No. 12/9 MSU Moorhead before the Dragons claimed the 63-56 victory.

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 1,254 career points is currently ninth on the all-time program scoring list. His 551 rebounds ranks ninth in program history. Albrecht is at 1,080 career points which is 18th in program history. His 532 rebounds ranks 10th on the program all-time list.

BSU enters the week currently tied for 10th in the NSIC standings with Wayne State both at 6-10. The top-12 teams make the NSIC Tournament, with the top-four teams receiving a bye and seeds 5-8 hosting a first round game. The Beavers are just two games back of Sioxu Falls in eighth at 8-8.

Bemidji State now enters the stretch run with six games left on the conference schedule with three being home and three being away. BSU is averaging 77.4 points and allowing 73.5 points. Bemidji State has made 638-1,387 (46) from the field, 182-556 (32.7) from three and 245-359 (68.2) at the foul line. Opponents are making 601-1,348 (44.6) from the field, 168-504 (33.3) from three and 248-356 (69.7) at the foul line.

John Sutherland averages 20.7 points and 7.8 rebounds, along with 82 assists and 12 blocks and 12 steals. He is making 59 percent (187-317) from the field. He leads the team in points, field goals, assists and blocks. Dalton Albrecht is averaging 16.2 points and 10.2 rebounds. He adds 33 three-pointers and 12 steals. BJ Davis averages 9.0 points and leads the team with 37 three-pointers. Brayden Williams adds 7.7 points and John Pecarich at 6.1 points.

Bemidji State leads the NSIC in assists per game (15.7). The Beavers are second in the NSIC in rebound margin (5.9), which ranks 28th nationally, offensive rebounds per game (11.82), and rebounds per game (39.55), which ranks 32nd nationally. Bemidji State is in the top-40 nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.35), 37th nationally, and defensive rebounds per game (27.73), 32nd nationally.

Sutherland continues to lead the nation in field goals (187). He leads the NSIC and ranks 23rd nationally in field goal percentage (59), 18th nationally in points (434), 18th nationally in points per game (20.7) and is third in the NSIC in offensive rebounds per game (2.81). Albrecht continues to lead the NSIC and ranks seventh nationally in double-doubles (11). He also leads the NSIC in rebounds (224), seventh nationally, defensive rebounds per game (7.32), 11th nationally, offensive rebounds per game (2.86) and in rebounds per game (10.2), 15th nationally. Williams is third in the NSIC in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.12).

BSU will see Northern State for the second time this season. The teams played in Aberdeen back on Dec. 9 with the Wolves claiming the 84-68 victory. Sutherland tallied 20 points and eight rebounds, with Albrecht posting a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds.

Northern State is 9-13 overall and 7-9 in NSIC play, they hold a 3-7 record on the road and 3-6 in true road games. This past week, the Wolves defeated both UMary (85-71) and St. Cloud State (83-76).

Northern State is averaging 75.5 points and allowing 76.8 points. NSU makes 595-1,349 (44.1) from the field, 204-621 (32.9) from three and 268-353 (75.9) at the foul line. Opponents are making 643-1,365 (47.1) from the field, 166-470 (35.3) from three and 237-327 (72.5) at the foul line.

Jackson Moni has put together some big numbers this season. The reigning NSIC Player of the Week is averaging 21.3 points and 8.3 rebounds, along with 75 assists, 21 blocks and 19 steals. He has made 153 field goals and 43 three-pointers. Josh Dilling adds 18.7 points and 4.7 rebounds, along with 87 assists and leads the team with 158 field goals. He has connected on 53 three-pointers. Augustin Reede is averaging 11.1 points and leads the team with 55 three-pointers.

Northern State leads the series 72-27 against Bemidji State having won the last 13 meetings. BSU is 17-32 at home against the Wolves. The last win for BSU was during the 2016-17 season picking up the 63-59 win in Aberdeen. The last win in Bemidji for the Beavers was during the 2015-16 season (90-89).

To close the week, Bemidji State will face Minnesota Crookston on the road on Thursday. The teams played back on Dec. 2 in Bemidji with the Beavers getting a layup just before the buzzer from Sutherland off an assist by Davis to claim the 63-62 victory. Sutherland led the way posting a double-double with 26 points and 11 rebounds. He also dished out seven assists. Albrecht and Williams added 10 points apiece.

Minnesota Crookston enters the week with a record of 6-16 overall and 3-13 in NSIC play. The Golden Eagles are 2-7 at home this season and won’t play until the Thursday game against BSU. This past week Minnesota Crookston lost to MSU Moorhead (76-49) and St. Cloud State (77-68). Prior to that, they defeated Concordia-St. Paul on the road (84-82). The Golden Eagles are currently two games back of the 12th and final NSIC Tournament spot.

UMC is averaging 65 points and allowing 73.9 points. The Golden Eagles have made 525-1,216 (43.2) from the field, 157-447 (35.1) from three and 223-345 (64.6) at the foul line. Opponents are making 602-1,356 (44.4) from the field, 165-496 (33.3) from three and 256-369 (69.4) at the foul line.

Blaize Sagna leads the way averaging 22.3 points and 4.5 rebounds. He has made 174 field goals and also leads the team with 55 three-pointers. Reid Grant adds 14.6 points and a team-high 78 assists, along with 51 three-pointers. Aguek Deng tallies 6.4 points and 7.9 rebounds, along with 44 blocks.

Bemidji State holds the 47-12 series record against Minnesota Crookston. The Beavers have won the last four meetings and are 17-10 playing on the road at Crookston.

Following the games this week, Bemidji State will be off until next Friday, Feb. 16, hosting Sioux Falls beginning at 7:30 p.m. inside the BSU Gym.