BEMIDJI, Minn. (BSU Gymnasium) -- The Bemidji State University men’s basketball team was defeated by Minnesota State University, Moorhead, 82-74 Friday night at the BSU Gymnasium. With the win the Dragons complete the season series sweep over BSU for the first time since the 2006-07 season.

The Beavers struggled to generate any kind of offensive flow during the first 10 minutes of the game. After sinking two of their first four shots, BSU would see the Dragons come back to take the lead, 13-12 just 4:56 into the game.

During the next 6:48, the Dragons would outscore the Beavers 14-5, stretching their lead to 10 points (27-17) midway through the first half.

During the run, MSUM was 6-for-12 (.500) from the floor with nine points coming from behind the three-point arc while going 2-for-4 from the charity stripe. Meanwhile, BSU was 1-for-4 (.250) from the field while committing eight turnovers.

BSU reeled the Dragons back to with in three (27-24) off a lay up by Jimmy Johnson (So., C, Andover, Minn.) with 7:06 left in the half but a 19-9 run during the remainder of the half pushed the Dragons lead to 13 (46-33), largest of the game.

In the second half the Beavers made numerous runs cutting the Dragons lead to two at one point, but every time BSU made a run it seemed as if the Dragons would knock down a three-pointer stopping the Beavers in their tracks.

A dunk by Taylor Hall (Fr., F, Blaine, Minn.) brought the Beavers to within two (63-61) forcing MSUM to take a time out. On the very next possession Jerome Nelson would hit a three pushing the Dragons lead back to five (66-61) with 7:51 left. MSUM stretched its lead back to 10 points (73-63) before the six minute mark but a lay up by Hall with 3:23 left got the Beavers to within striking distance (75-71).

Once again it was Jerome Nelson putting a dagger in the Beavers as one MSUM’s next possession he buried his fifth three of the game giving the Dragons a 78-71 lead with 1:48 left. The Dragons knocked down 4-of-7 free-throws in the final minutes to secure a 82-74 victory over BSU.

The Dragons hit 45-percnet (28-62) of their shots scorching the nets from three-point land draining 50 percent (15-30) from beyond the arc while outrebounded BSU 37-25). BSU shot 27-of-52 (.519) and were just 5-of-15 (.333) from downtown but held a 44-22 edge off points in the paint.

The Beavers were led by Taylor Hall (Fr., F, Blaine, Minn.) who posted his second 20-point game of the season with 20. Seth Haake (Jr., G, Eden Prairie, Minn.) and Jake Lindstrom (Fr., G, Cottage Grove, Minn.) each added 14 points to round out the Beavers double-digit scoring. It is the 11th consecutive game that Haake has recorded double-digit point totals.

Haake grabbed a team-high seven rebounds while Bryce Tesdahl (Fr., G, Crosby, Minn.) had a career-best seven assists. Jimmy Johnson (So., C, Andover, Minn.) led the Beavers with three blocks, tying his season-high.

The Dragons’ Nelson led a trio of MSUM players who registered double-digit point totals with 24. Andre Van Havermaet added 16 points while Justyn Burgess chipped in 13 points. Dwayne Hardy led MSUM with five rebounds while Grand Fossum had a team-high five assists.

BSU is now 79-83 all-time versus Minnesota State University, Moorhead.

The loss drops Bemidji State to 7-16 on the year and 5-11 in the NSIC while MSUM improves to 8-13 overall and 5-11 in conference play. BSU will be back in action tomorrow evening when the team hosts Minnesota, Crookston at the BSU Gymnasium. Game time is set for a 8 p.m. start.

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

--beavers--