BEMIDJI, Minn.- The Upper Iowa University Peacocks spoiled Bemidji State University’s senior night as they came away with a 64-50 win at the BSU Gymnasium Saturday night.

The Beavers had another strong shooting performance from Brady Fairbanks (Fr., G/F, Bena, Minn.) as he ended the night with his second consecutive 16 point performance on 6-of-9 shooting from the field including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. Senior Marques Ramos (G/F, Henderson, Nev.) had a solid night in his final game as a Beaver as he finished one point shy of his season high with nine and also grabbed a team high five rebounds.

The Peacocks had three players in double figures led by A.J. Adkins who had a game high 18 points. Matt Lesan and Nick Kramer each had 10. Jude Roybal also added a game high eight assists.

Coach Matt Bowen held a ceremony prior to the game for the senior players and rewarded each of them with a start. The seniors responded by staying with the Peacocks for the first 5:25 of the game keeping it tied at 6-6 on a jumper by Aaron Evans (Sr., PG, Minneapolis, Minn.) before the teams first substitution.

The Beavers took their final lead on the next basket as Seth Haake (So., G, Eden Prairie, Minn.) hit two of his nine on a layup. The Peacocks then went on a 14-2 run over the next 5:24 to take a double digit lead at 20-10. From their both teams would go back and forth and by the end of the half the Peacocks lead was at seven at 33-26.

On the half both teams shot well from the field as Upper Iowa gained a slight edge shooting .519 (14-of-27) compared to Bemidji State’s .500 (11-of-22). The Beavers outshot the Peacocks from three .429 (3-of-7) to .333 (3-of-9). The Peacocks did a fine job of holding onto the ball in the first half giving up only two turnovers.

The second half saw the Beavers cut the lead down to as little as five when senior Andre Bell (Sr., G, Chicago, Ill.) hit one of two from the line. The Peacocks kept pestering the Beavers however as they jumped the lead up to 17 with 3:59 remaining. By the final buzzer the final was a 14 point Upper Iowa victory at 64-50.

For the game the Peacocks shot .500 (26-of-52) compared to the Beavers .432 (19-of-44). Upper Iowa finished the game with only seven turnovers while the Bemidji State had 11.

The loss was only the second in the head-to-head matchup with Upper Iowa and moves the overall record to 3-2 in favor of the Beavers.

Bemidji State finishes their season with a (6-21; 3-15 NSIC) record, one game better overall than last year.

The Peacocks finish the regular season with a (9-18; 8-10 NSIC) record and with the win is the first time they’ve swept the Beavers in a season.

Bemidji State University, located in Bemidji, Minn., is an NCAA Division II institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).

--Beavers--