BSU opens NSIC play at UMC and No. 20 MiSU

Beavers will start conference competition with road games against Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles and Minot State Beavers

Bemidji State University Men’s Basketball heads west to Crookston, Minn. and Minot, N.D. this weekend for the start of Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play. Both games are available for streaming on the NSIC Network.

The Beavers start NSIC play with a 7:30 p.m. tipoff against the Golden Eagles Friday, the 78th meeting of the two teams in a series that began 102 years ago. The Beavers have swept the past five games of the series with a 8-2 record in the past 10 games. Saturday, the Battle of the Beavers heads to Minot for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff. The Bemidji State Beavers and Minot State Beavers marked their first meeting in 1967 where Bemidji State took the with 86-82, followed by two more wins. BSU holds a 18-16 advantage in the series.

Bemidji State is 3-3 so far this season after dropping two games in Florida to Barry University and Lynn University early last week.

The Beavers are led in scoring by senior forward Malang Athian who has marked 86 total points for an average of 14.3 per game. He is shooting at 47.7% from the field and 36.4% at the arc. Under the basket, Athian has grabbed 25 rebounds, 11 offensive and 14 on defense.

Tate Olson leads the rebounding front with 52 total, three offensive and 49 defensive. He is also second on the team with 18 assists.

As a team, the Beavers have totaled 447 points with 166 field goals and 55 three-point baskets, plus 60 free-throw makes.