The Beavers capped the 2013 calendar year with a decisive 103-61 home victory against Minnesota Crookston. The Beavers shot a program record 68.5 percent from the field (37-of-54), which is also a NSIC-best this season. BSU dished out 25 assists to tie an NSIC high in 2013-14. Senior guard Jake Schalow led the charge with 30 points on 7-of-8 shooting from 3-point range (10-for-13, 76.9 FG%) to earn NSIC Player of the Week honors.

With 17.1 points per game, junior Brock Lutes ranks fourth in the NSIC in scoring. Senior forward Maxie Rosenbloom leads the league in rebounding (9.8 rpg) and field goal percentage (66.0%). Senior Zach Noreen is tied for sixth in the NSIC in scoring (16.8 ppg), while Schalow ranks third in 3-point percentage (56.4%). Bemidji State begins the new year leading the NSIC in free throw percentage (74.4%) and steals (98 – 9.8 spg).

Fast Break
• BSU is 5-3 against Winona State since 2009-10, which includes a 74-72 upset of the then-No. 21 Warriors in the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament Quarterfinals last season. After defeating WSU, BSU headed to Rochester, Minn. and downed Upper Iowa 64-61 to advance to the tournament championship for the first time in program history.
• The Beavers are second in the NSIC in blocks (46 – 4.6 bpg) and are assists (159 – 15.9 apg).
• In league games only, BSU is fourth in scoring defense (70.0 ppg allowed).
• Senior Maxie Rosenbloom recorded a career-high 21 points and a BSU program record 24 rebounds Dec. 6 versus St. Cloud State to post the first 20-point, 20-rebound performance in program history.
• Senior Michael Farrington is averaging 2.0 steals per game to sit tied for third in the NSIC.

The Warriors
The Winona State men’s basketball team (11-2, 6-0) owns a seven-game winning streak entering the BSU Gymnasium. WSU ended the 2013 year with a 78-68 home victory versus Upper Iowa. In 13 games, the Warriors have been led in scoring by five different players. Taylor Cameron guides the team with 13.0 points per game. In league games, WSU’s 82.8 points per game is tops in the NSIC, as is the team’s 50.5 percentage from beyond the arc.

Series Note
All-time the Beavers are 71-82 against Winona State in a series that dates back to 1933. In the last eight meetings BSU owns a 5-3 record, which includes a 74-72 playoff victory last season versus the then-No. 21 Warriors. At home in the last eight, BSU is 2-1.

The Peacocks
The Upper Iowa men’s basketball team (4-8, 2-4 NSIC) is 1-2 in its last three games and lost 78-68 at Winona State before the holiday break. Joey Woods has scored 20, 19 and 18 points, respectfully in the last three games to lead the team. Woods owns 16.4 points per game to guide the squad, while his 3.8 rebounds per contest is tied for the team best. In league games, the Peacocks enter the weekend ranked second in turnover margin (+4.0).

Series Note
Bemidji State and Upper Iowa have met just 15 times, as BSU owns the 9-6 advantage. After winning three straight, the Beavers fell at UIU 81-67 last season, but exacted revenge in the NSIC Tournament semifinals with a 64-61 victory to advance to the tournament finals for the first time in program history.

NSIC Preseason Poll/BSU’s Player to Watch
Coming off an 18-12 overall record and a 13-9 league mark a season ago, the Bemidji State men’s basketball team was tabbed to finish 12th in the 2013-14 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll. The Beavers were pegged to finish sixth in the NSIC North Division, while senior forward Zach Noreen (Avon, Minn.) was deemed BSU’s Player to Watch.

Against Ranked Opponents
In the first season under Mike Boschee, the Beavers went 3-3 versus nationally ranked opponents. The Beavers are 10-25 in the last eight seasons versus nationally ranked opponents.

Rebounding Machine
Senior Maxie Rosenbloom totaled a Bemidji State program record 24 rebounds in a home victory against St. Cloud State Dec. 6. The school’s previous record was 20 set by Stacy Pearson-Taylor March 1, 2006 versus Minnesota State University Moorhead. The rebound total sits tied for third in NCAA Division II this season.

In NSIC games since 1998-99, only five players have recorded 20 or more rebounds in a game, while just two players have totaled more than 20 points and 20 rebounds in a contest (both did so in at least one overtime). In that same time span, no one has recorded more than 22 rebounds in either league or nonconference play. The NSIC record for rebounds is 32, set in 1975.

NSIC Player of the Week – Maxie Rosenbloom
After averaging 18.0 points and pulling down 17.5 rebounds per game in a 2-0 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference home weekend Dec. 6-7, senior forward Maxie Rosenbloom was honored as NSIC Men’s Basketball Player of the Week Dec. 9.

He recorded the first 20-point, 20-rebound performance in program history Friday in a 70-65 victory against St. Cloud State University (receiving votes nationally), as he totaled a career-high 21 points and added a program record 24 rebounds. Rosenbloom followed his third double-double of the season with his fourth Saturday in a 90-79 victory against University of Minnesota Duluth with 15 points and 11 rebounds. On the weekend, Rosenbloom shot 66.7 percent from the field, made his only 3-point attempt and went 19-for-25 (76%) from the free throw line. He added three blocks, two steals and two assists, while only turning the ball over four times in 32.5 minutes per game.

Home Sweet Home
The Beavers are 16-3 at the BSU Gymnasium under second-year head coach Mike Boschee. BSU is 3-0 versus teams ranked or receiving votes nationally and have won a postseason game at home. Bemidji State is 6-1 in 2013-14.