The Bemidji State University men’s basketball team was handed a weekend split Saturday in a 81-68 loss to No. 7 Minnesota State University Moorhead. Senior DJ Anderson continued his strong performance while chipping in 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists for the Beavers (9-9, 6-8 NSIC).

After recording his first career double-double the night earlier against Northern State University, Anderson came to the verge of triple-double conversation. Four Beavers in total reached double-digit scoring, as Ben Best, William Harvey and Jordan Rhodes all recorded 12 points.

The Beavers were unable to grab a lead during the game, as the Dragons opened the first half on a 7-2 run. Christian Pekarek hit his first 3-pointer of the game to bring BSU within two points. BSU and MSUM traded scores over the next two minutes as Ben Best brought the Beavers to a 13-11 deficit, the smallest margin the rest of the first half. Harvey scored six points through the remaining 14 minutes until halftime to head into the locker room trailing, 39-27.

The Beavers outscored the Dragons in the paint, 40-10, while MSUM took advantage of 3-point shooting, 11 conversions to five for BSU. Bemidji State finished shooting 47.3 percent (26-55) from the field and 22.7 (5-22) from behind the arc, while MSU Moorhead shot 48.2 percent (27-56) from the floor and 55 percent (11-20) from long range.

Bemidji State finishes a four-game home span Jan. 29-30 while hosting Winona State University and Upper Iowa University. The Beavers will face the Warriors and Peacocks in the teams’ only meetings of the season.