BEMIDJI, Minn. (BSU Gymnasium) -- The Bemidji State University men’s basketball team saw its two game home winning streak come to an end Friday in Bemidji, Minn. as the No. 13 Minnesota State University Mavericks handed the Beavers at 84-66 loss in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) action.

BSU led by as many as four points in a tight first frame, but was out scored 22-6 during the first 8:31 of the second half watching a one-point halftime deficit turn into a 17-point deficit.

The Beavers were led by Jake Lindstrom (Fr., G, Cottage Grove, Minn.) who netted 16 points on 5-of-12 from the field, 2-of-4 from three-point range and was 4-for-4 from the line. He was joined in double-figures by Seth Haake (Jr., G, Eden Prairie, Minn.) and Jimmy Johnson (So., C, Andover, Minn.) who each added 12 points. Taylor Hall (Fr., F, Blaine, Minn.) snared eight boards to lead BSU’s rebounding effort adding six points along the way. Bryce Tesdahl (Fr., G, Crosby, Minn.) dished out a career and game-high six assists.

Jake Morrow and Travis Nelson led the charge for the Mavericks recording 22 and 21 points, respectively. Nelson also grabbed a game-high nine rebounds.

Hall got the Beavers out of the gates quick with a thunderous dunk just four seconds while Haake put the Beavers up 4-0 on the next possession with a jumper in the paint. A 8-2 run, capped by a Mitch Gosson jumper game the Mavericks their first lead of the game at 8-6 with 17:29 left to play in the first.

MSU continued to extend its lead as Jake Morrow gave the Mavericks their largest lead of the game (20-13) as he connected on his second three-pointer of the game with 11:57 left in the half forcing the Beavers to take a time out.

The Beavers regained their composure and went on a 17-9 run over the next 7:50 to capture their second lead of the game (30-29) capped off by a lay up from Lindstrom. The remainder of the half was back and fourth. It looked like MSU would go into the half with at least a four-point lead but Tyler Wruck (So., G, Foley, Minn.) would knock down a three with 31-seconds left to bring the Beavers to within one point going into the half (37-36).

Bemidji State came out of the break a little sluggish, missing six of its first seven field goal attempts. That made way for a 10-point run by the Mavericks as the visitors reclaimed the lead for good.

MSU would go on to out score the Beavers 22-6 as the second half got underway, extending its lead to 17 points, 59-42, before the 11-minute mark.

BSU would regroup, cutting the lead to 13 points with just under four minutes to play, but any hopes of a Beavers’ comeback was thwarted in the final minutes as MSU closed out the game scoring seven of the final nine points to take the win, 84-66.

The Beavers finished the game 21-61 (.344) from the floor, 5-of-16 (.313) from beyond the arc and 19-of-29 from the free-throw line (.655). MSU was 29-of-67 (.433) from the field, 5-of-18 (.278) from outside the arc and 21-of-28 (.750) from the line.

In addition to the free-throw differential, MSU won the game on the glass. The Mavericks used a 52-31 rebounding edge to generate 18 second-chance points to BSU’s seven while they outscored BSU 42-30 in the paint.

With the win the Mavericks increase their lead to 60-33 in the all-time series and are currently on a 20-game winning streak dating back to Jan. 3, 1969. MSU is now 18-4 overall and 9-3 in the NSIC.

The Beavers (7-12; 5-7 NSIC) will wrap up their two game home stand tomorrow evening when they host Southwest Minnesota State (16-5; 9-3 NSIC) at the BSU Gymnasium. Tip off is slated for 8 p.m.

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

--beavers--